Record Applicants

Filmbase reports that a record number of 343 applications were received for the January 2009 round of the popular Filmbase/RTÉ Short Film Awards.

The number is significantly up from the 2008 applications and represents a threefold increase on 2007. Given the volume of scripts received Filmbase have announced that there may be some delays in processing the applications which are usually announced in April of each year. All applicants will be kept informed by email. ...

Commenting on the round Alan Fitzpatrick, Director of Filmbase, said "The steady rise in applications to the Filmbase award schemes shows the incredible interest that exists at the moment in making shorts. It's encouraging to see so many new people applying for the first time to the scheme which has always tried to uncover and support new Irish filmmaking talent. This will obviously be an incredibly competitive round of the awards and we look forward to seeing the eventual winners."

Three awards will be made in this round, each consisting of €10,000 in cash and a matching level of production equipment and editing facilities supplied from Filmbase. The awards are run twice a year and the next application deadline will be June 26th.