National Talent Academy for Film & TV has announced the successful recipient directors of the 2022 Director’s Lab Fund.
The Directors Lab is geared toward emerging diverse directors in early career stages and its aim is to provide them with an award which enables them to explore and develop their creative vision.
Directors applied for an award of funding to support the execution and delivery of materials to enhance their careers and/or project materials to leverage further investment. The Fund was extremely competitive with 70 applications received. They were assessed by a panel of industry experts and fifteen projects were selected to receive the Director’s Lab Fund:
- Jaro Waldeck will host auditions and rehearsal workshop with the assistance if an ISL interpreter.
- Nell Hensey will to take the first steps in developing a feature musical film by creating a concept video which includes original music, songs, and choreography. As well as a showreel and website to demonstrate creative abilities and to encourage the generation of further directing work.
- Edwina Casey will create a sizzle reel for her upcoming debut film Maya Butterfly with the aim of attracting international partners and financiers.
- Niamh Heery will shoot concept footage for production of a director's showreel.
- Mo O’Connell will use the award to create a professional website to promote herself and work online.
- Jamie O’Rourke will work on a proof of concept for his feature film, working title Fervour, a psychological horror set in 1980s.
- Chinedum Muotto will explore ideas around Dark Matter using VFX and in communication with archives of Astronomy from various civilisations from the African continent.
- Ayla Amano is hosting actor workshops on location in Cork and produce a sizzle reel.
- Margaret Kane-Rowe will shoot a VFX proof of concept for a supernatural horror.
- Fiona Ashe will used the fund to research, write, shoot and edit a proof-of-concept for a feature film.
- Robert Higgins & Patrick McGivney will workshop and develop a new feature length drama Bonfires that explores rave culture in the midlands.
- Claire Frances Byrne is creating a proof-of-concept film piece for a psychological thriller in development, Duck Duck Goose.
- Emma Brennan is explore the cinematic quality of theatre on film with actor Conor Lambert and an excerpt from his play Puppet Tears.
- Daniel Butler will create proof-of-concept materials for an Irish-language werewolf drama Na Ceanna Beaga // Cubs.
- Clare Dunne will develop visual materials for her debut feature film One Good Conversation.
The National Talent Academy for Film & TV also announced that a similar fund for Producers is now open. The Website & Online Presence Producer's Fund is now accepting application. Interested producers/production companies can read more - here.
Please email eibh.collins@nationaltalentacademies.ie with questions or for any further information. The National Talent Academy is an initiative of Screen Ireland. The NTA for Film & TV is managed by Ardán.
