The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has today (10.08.22) announced funding of €6m under the Sound & Vision 4 Broadcasting Funding Scheme. A total of 36 radio projects and 22 TV projects have been successful in Round 43 of the scheme, following a competitive assessment process.
Overall, the round attracted a total of 123 applications, seeking funding in the region of €15.5m. The proposed package of recommendations will facilitate the production of a range of projects reflecting Irish culture, heritage, and experience, that will be broadcast on a range of community, commercial and public service broadcasters. The funded programmes include a wide variety of genres and formats that will appeal to a diversity of Irish audiences and include English, Irish and bi-lingual projects.
Consideration of women in a leadership role is also taken into account as part of the assessment process. More than 50% of funding for recommended TV applications is going to projects that have indicated that half or more of the key roles (producer, writer, editor, director and director of photography) will be filled by women.
Some notable projects funded in this round include:
- Obituary: A six-part drama which takes a sharply comedic contemporary look at rural West of Ireland through the story of Elvira Clancy, an underpaid obituarist working at a small-town newspaper. It will be broadcast on RTÉ 2.
- Murder in the GAA: The death of James Kernan: This radio drama looks at the story of an on-pitch collision during the Ulster Championship semi-final in 1929 which resulted in the death of one player, and another being charged with murder. It will be broadcast by Newstalk .
- The Scavengers: An animation aimed to entertain children while contextualising the effects and long-lasting consequences of the current climate crisis. Scavenger crew member Arrow (13) joins forces with his best-bud-robot ARG and diligent cadet Starla (15) to uncover the secret to human survival in post-climate disaster Ireland. It will be broadcast by RTÉJr.
- Cad déarfá le Gaillimh: Developed in partnership with NUI Galway, this weekly Irish language magazine-style show will feature content focused on the Gaeltacht, local arts, culture and heritage. It will be broadcast by Galway Bay FM.
- Faithless: This six-part comedy drama follows an Irish-Egyptian father who attempts to raise his three young mixed-race daughters alone. It will be broadcast by Virgin Media One.
- KNEECAP: A dark comedy bi-lingual feature film, KNEECAP showcases Irish talent and the cultural revival of the Irish language. It will be broadcast by TG4.
- Changemakers: This 15-part environmental, nature and science programme features local and indigenous Cork businesses working to make a greener city and county. It will be broadcast by Red FM.
Commenting, Chief Executive of the BAI, Celene Craig said: “Round 43 of the Sound & Vision Scheme has yielded a strong mix of projects across a range of formats, genres, and audiences. We were very pleased with the very high quality of projects submitted and believe that the funded projects will further the BAI’s aims to promote plurality and diversity in programming and to enhance innovation and sectoral sustainability.”
She added: “It is also evident that the strategic criterion of women in key creative roles continues to encourage the submission of high-quality applications that have strong female representation. This is welcomed by the BAI and contributes to our own strategic objectives of ensuring diversity in the Irish audiovisual industry.”
A full list of the projects being offered funding under the Sound & Vision Broadcasting Funding Scheme Round 43 is available to download here.
ENDS
Media contact: Joanne Ahern, DHR Communications, Tel: 087-9881837.
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