Cine4, the Irish-language feature film development scheme, has now opened its 2024 round for applications.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the initiative, which has resulted in the production of eight feature films in the Irish language so far – not to mention a history-making Academy Award nomination for An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) in 2023.
The application round opened during the Galway Film Fleadh this week, which saw the World Premiere of Fidil Ghorm – the latest project to be produced under the scheme. Directed by Anne Mc Cabe and with a screenplay from Laureate na nÓg writer Patricia Forde, Fidil Ghorm was shot on location in Rathmullan, Co. Donegal. When 10-year-old Molly meets an old fiddle player with ‘magic in his hands’ she is convinced that with his help she can wake her father from a coma – but magic comes in many forms.
This year’s edition of Cine4 will comprise of three phases, and include an additional phase of development, jointly funded by TG4 and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland. This additional funding is a recognition of the monumental success of the initiative to date, which has accelerated Irish language filmmaking in recent years and created a cultural shift in audience demand – both international and domestic – for films in the Irish language.
Up to five projects will be selected for initial development, with two proceeding to a second round of additional development. An additional €25,000 is available for this development phase and is discretionary as to who can avail of it. These two projects will then be put forward to apply for the next appropriate production round - Coimisiún na Meán’s ‘Sound & Vision’ Fund and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland’s Production Funding.
Supported by TG4, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán, the Cine4 scheme continues to encourage strong storytelling, visual flair and high production values for the big screen. Now in its fifth year since it was established in 2019, the initiative has seen monumental success, accelerating Irish language filmmaking in recent years and supporting a cultural shift in audience demand – both international and domestic – for films in the Irish language.
Applications for the 2024 edition of Cine4 are now open, and will close on the 24th October 2024.
