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'We want gender parity': Aspiring female filmmakers to benefit from up to €400k in new funding

The Irish Film Board said these new initiatives will encourage new female talent to enter the industry.

THE IRISH FILM Board (IFB) has announced a series of new funding opportunities that it says will go towards achieving “gender parity” in the Irish film industry.

Budding female filmmakers will be able to avail of funding of up to €400,000 to produce a feature film, with an aim to achieve an equal level of funding for male and female applicants across a range of projects.

Dr Annie Doona, chair of the Irish Film Board, said that the direct funding offers will “incentivise an increased number of applications from female-led talent and will support, empower and elevate Irish female talent working within the industry”.

Unconscious bias

In December 2015, the film board announced plans to address the under-representation of women in Irish film.

Upon launching its plan, it noted that, between 2010 and 2015:

  • 16% of production funding applications came from projects with female writers attached.
  • 14% came from projects with female directors attached.
  • 36% came from projects with female producers attached.

It says that significant progress has been made since then, with 70% of IFB-funded short films to premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh this week having female directors attached.

Earlier this year, unconscious bias training was mooted as a way of making the film industry here more diverse.

Unconscious bias is defined, by the University of Warwick, as “a bias that we are unaware of, and which happens outside of our control”. It says that it causes our brain to make quick judgements and assessments of people and situations, influenced by our background, cultural environment and personal experiences.

Donna told TheJournal.ie that this was something the IFB was seriously considering. She said: “We have talked a lot in the board – which is 50/50 male and female – we’ve talked a lot about unconscious bias and [Deputy Chief Executive] Teresa McGrane in particular has been talking to companies who deliver unconscious bias training and saying we could get those guys in to work… with the industry.”

Achieving parity

To follow on the aim of achieving 50/50 funding provision for men and women in the industry, the IFB is rolling out this new series of funding initiatives aimed at women.

They are:

  • A new low-budget production programme for emerging female writers and directors. Following tailored workshops, mentorship and training, there will be an opportunity to apply for support to produce a feature film with a budget of up to €400,000 fully funded by the IFB.
  • Increased support of up to €100,000 for feature films that are creatively led by an Irish female writer(s) and director(s).
  • Making one round of funding applications on the Screenplay Development scheme each year available to female applicants only.
  • A new gender equality and diversity subcommittee for the IFB to be responsible for implementing these measures to attain gender parity.

Doona said: “These initiatives represent the continued commitment of the IFB to achieve gender parity within the film, television and animation sector.

We are of the view that whilst a lot has been achieved in developing the careers of female writers and directors, not enough has been achieved in relation to increasing the actual funding applications received by the IFB, with female talent attached. 50/50 parity of funding remains our goal.

Read: Where are the women? Unconscious bias training planned to make Irish films more diverse

Read: Tired of how women are represented in films? You’re not alone

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    Mute Parmenides
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    Sep 18th 2013, 2:07 PM

    Just like oour very own unflappable Dobbo, the consummate professional. It’s only a mistake if you acknowledge it. Dobbo could take an arrow to the knee and still deliver the news in a a professional and concise manner.

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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:53 PM

    It also shows just how vital an iPad is for a news presenter

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    Sep 18th 2013, 10:06 PM

    Ha ha

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    Mute Michael Donnelly
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    Sep 18th 2013, 3:31 PM

    That’s a lost bet from a night in a pub. Or I’ll eat my hat!!

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    Mute Paul Radford
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    Sep 18th 2013, 5:26 PM

    You’re right, no other reason for a ream of paper to be anywhere near studio.

    Well spotted Watson, well spotted. Solved

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    Mute Oliver Walker
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:55 PM

    That….looks absolutely ridiculous

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    Mute Veronica
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:54 PM

    Fair pay to him, he kept his cool throughout!

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    Mute Seoirse M H
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    Sep 18th 2013, 3:32 PM

    The BBC News service is so blatantly biased and a spring of propaganda. It’s all in the words they choose and nice words are reserved for those who align with Western interests.

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    Mute Leigh Power
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    Sep 18th 2013, 3:50 PM

    As opposed to yourself who’s completely unbiased.

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    Mute Mick Rooney
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:03 PM

    You’ve obviously never looked at the blatant Fox-led British Sky News for slanted opinion and bias presenting in their daily news. For all the starch and stuff upper lip of the BBC, you at least get basic news reported less the editorial and reality-show hyperbole of SKY.

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    Mute Seoirse M H
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:17 PM

    Re Mick.

    Hi Mick. Wouldn’t look at SkyNews for news unless I needed some encouragement. The BBC nature programs et al are good but the news service is unbelievably produced according to an agenda. Just look at any articles from the BBC on Pinochet. Absolutely shocking the way they choose words in their description of him and slant on him.

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    Mute Paul Radford
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    Sep 18th 2013, 5:28 PM

    So what do you think of Tv3. Interesting to hear your reply.

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    Mute Mick Rooney
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    Sep 18th 2013, 5:38 PM

    BBC docu stuff is generally, outstanding, though I take your point on the Pinochet stuff.

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    Sep 18th 2013, 5:43 PM

    Eh, TV3!? Do they call what they do in soundbites news? I used to watch Vincenzo, but, frankly, I couldn’t care less what Georgia, Amy or Glenda do next as an excuse for news! TV3 news reminds me of John Craven’s newsrooms for kids, or the mentally challenged!

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    Sep 18th 2013, 2:32 PM

    I’ve done that afew times in school! You’d be mortified but with all those kids staring at you it’s bound to happen!

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    Mute Trevor Beacom
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    Sep 18th 2013, 6:25 PM

    A decent newsreader mccoy who was pushed out of sky for clashing with the maggie Thatcher of media

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    Mute Cathal Egan
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    Sep 18th 2013, 8:44 PM

    Maybe he got scammed by the people who show you what you’re buying then give you the case filled with paper and leave before you notice. He just hasn’t noticed yet.

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