Northern Ireland Screen Commission

Northern Ireland Screen Commission, established in 1989 as the Northern Ireland Film Council and reconstituted in 1997, serves as the national screen agency for Northern Ireland, with a core mission to maximize the economic, cultural, and educational impact of screen industries. Backed by the Department for the Economy, Department for Communities, and Arts Council Lottery funds, it drives sustainable growth in film, television, animation, factual/entertainment content, digital interactive media, gaming, and e-learning, while championing inclusive opportunities for disadvantaged groups, local language broadcasting (via Irish Language and Ulster Scots Funds), skills training, and cultural diversity to build the UK's strongest screen sector outside London.

It funds production companies, individuals, film festivals (e.g., Belfast, CineMagic, Foyle), educational organizations, and archival projects through targeted schemes like Short Film Calls, New Writer Focus, script development, slate/company development, and capacity building. Support emphasizes job creation, commercial viability, and social impact, including grants and recoupable loans for projects like Game of Thrones filmed in NI studios.

Eligibility is strictly limited to Northern Ireland-based applicants—individuals, independents, or established entities—with no income thresholds but rigorous scheme-specific criteria; no core costs outside project needs. Typical grants range £9,000–£22,500 (e.g., £12,500–£22,500 for shorts). Unsolicited applications are accepted only via online forms for announced calls—no rolling basis—with deadlines like 27 June, 30 June, and 1 August 2025; decisions in 6–10 weeks. It excludes non-NI projects, unsubstantiated resubmissions, and non-screen activities, distinguishing itself through holistic sector infrastructure, underrepresented voice amplification, and alignment with government priorities for economic and cultural transformation.