Droichead Arts Centre and film maker Frank W. Kelly have launched the third Boyne Valley International Film Festival (BVIFF) which will take place this August and they are asking people to submit their ideas for a film they’d like to make.

BVIFF are now inviting screen writers to pitch a short film idea by email, no longer than 2 pages. Three film makers will be shortlisted by a panel of judges featuring writer/director Audrey O’Reilly (Fair City), director Rob and Ronan Burke (Damo and Ivor: The Movie).

This three-day festival will feature the best short films from around the country, and the world, with a special focus on films made in the region.

Three shortlisted film makers will be awarded a bursary of €500, and each will be invited to present their short film idea to the panel during the festival. One lucky film maker will be chosen and awarded a further bursary of €2,500 to write the script.

They want to create an environment for filmmakers and audiences to connect and celebrate film in the historical medieval town of Drogheda, and the beautiful Boyne Valley Region.

Previous winners include Fionnuala Gygax with “The Island”, with a Special Mention given to Connor McCormick’s “Bunker Baby” in 2023. Both films have completed production.

Libby McCormack’s 2022 winning “The Parting” is currently in preproduction with Roisin Kearney attached to direct.

The Boyne Valley International Film Festival is run in partnership with Love Drogheda BIDS and funded by the Arts Council, Meath County Council Arts Office and Louth County Council. 

Main Sponsor Love Drogheda BIDS, with further sponsorship from Osborne Recruitment, Global International Travel, and the Clinch Family. Supported by Boann Distillery and Anglo Printers.

HOW TO APPLY:  

By email, 2 pages max. Deadline Friday 5 July at 5:00pm. 

Limited to one entry per person, and applicants must be resident in Ireland and over 18 (Students who are currently in undergraduate or post graduate education, including those undertaking foundation courses are not eligible to apply). 

Introduction– A brief overview of the film. Include title, logline, genre, and theme of the project.

Synopsis (500 words)

Character breakdown 

Conclusion 

Email submissions to info@droichead.com by 5:00pm on July 5th.  

BVIFF welcomes applications from film makers whose voices are currently under-represented in the Irish film sector. If you require any access support for this application process, please email jackie.nowell@droichead.com and someone in the team will answer questions from any potential candidates directly. 

Please send your application in both word and pdf formats but only include your name on the pdf document. The panel will not know the identity of the applicant when shortlisting. 

The three short listed applicants will be notified and must be available to present their idea live to the panel on the morning of the 11 August (Time to be confirmed).

The bursary recipient will be announced as part of the Awards Ceremony on the 11 August at Droichead Arts Centre.