Glúin Nua supports emerging directors and writers to create short-form content in the Irish language

Mentorship scheme supported by BAI in partnership with TG4, Northern Ireland Screen Irish Language Broadcast Fund, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Gréasán na Meán

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), has today (10.07.20) announced a partnership initiative between the BAI, TG4, ILBF, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Gréasán na Meán to provide a commissioning fund and mentoring support to foster new talent in the Irish audio-visual industry.

Under the scheme, production companies can develop and give mentorship to a new generation of storytellers, supporting them to create innovative and original Irish-language content for audiences in the 16-to-34-year age bracket. The content will have a digital-first release on TG4’s online platforms, as well as receiving a subsequent linear broadcast, where relevant. Glúin Nua is being launched at the Galway Film Fleadh, which is presented online this year from 7^th to 12^th July.

Commenting, BAI chief executive Michael O’Keeffe said: “As young audiences are moving away from traditional viewing habits and engaging with content across a variety of platforms, it is important that content creators can adapt to this changing media landscape. Glúin Nua will foster and grow a new generation of directors, producers, writers and new onscreen talent in the Irish language, who have a strong understanding of the digital environment and who will be supported to create entertaining and engaging stories with the aim of capturing younger audiences.”

He continued: “We consider this partnership to be of significant strategic value to the BAI, furthering the objectives of promoting diversity and plurality and enhancing innovation and sectoral sustainability. Furthermore, the initiative directly supports the aims and objectives of the BAI Irish Language Action Plan, which was launched in 2019 in order to support Irish language development across the Irish audio-visual sector.”

ENDS

 Media Queries: Thelma Harris / Joanne Ahern, DHR Communications. Tel: 083-0517622/ 087-9881837.  

Notes to editors:

• Glúin Nua is administered by TG4. Funding partners are each providing funding or mentoring support to the value of €60,000. The BAI is providing a funding award of €60,000 over two years under the BAI’s Sectoral Learning and Development’s Innovation and Diversity (Irish Language) Schemes.
• A copy of the BAI Irish Language Action Plan can be found on the BAI website here.