Authored Works

Authored Works gives professional film artists in Ireland the creative and editorial freedom to make a feature-length (70-90 minute), artist-led cultural film from a strong artistic point of view, for cinema exhibition. One film is supported per round with a total fund of up to €247,500, comprising a production budget of up to €230,000 and further exhibition support of up to €17,500 (released separately after completion, on submission of an approved exhibition strategy), and the award is now offered on a biennial basis.

Grant range: Up to €247,500
Funding level: 100%
Support type: Grant
Last checked: 4 Sept 2026

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About this scheme

Authored Works is an Arts Council film scheme giving professional film artists in Ireland the creative and editorial freedom to make a feature-length, artist-led cultural film from a strong artistic point of view, intended for cinema exhibition. Films must be original and artist-led, with a running time of 70-90 minutes, made by a film artist with a demonstrable track record of work made specifically for cinema. One film is supported per funding round, with a total fund of up to €247,500: up to €230,000 for production, plus up to €17,500 in further exhibition support, released separately following completion of the film. The award is now offered on a biennial basis. The Irish Film Institute (IFI) is the Arts Council's exhibition partner; the successful film must premiere at the IFI or at a film festival in association with the IFI, with no public screenings prior to that premiere. Applications are made through the Arts Council's Online Services and must include a detailed budget, treatment, CVs, proof of rights, and an exhibition strategy.

Who can apply

Applicant must be a professional film artist (or the film artist's production company) with a demonstrable track record of making work for cinema
Applicant must generally be resident in the Republic of Ireland; applications from outside the Republic of Ireland may exceptionally be accepted, subject to additional detail being provided
Proposed film must be an original, artist-led feature-length film of 70-90 minutes, intended for cinema (including festival) exhibition
Application must be made in the name of the film artist or their production company
Excluded activities/costs: script or project development, conventional film/TV drama, arts documentaries, and formal education activities
Applicants cannot receive both an Authored Works Award and a Reel Art Award in the same calendar year
The successful film must premiere at the Irish Film Institute (IFI) or a film festival in association with the IFI, with no public screenings before this premiere
Only films that can be made within the available budget will be considered; one film is supported per round

How to apply

Read the published guidelines for the relevant year's Authored Works round in full before starting (guidelines are typically made available around two weeks before the scheme opens)
Register for or log in to the Arts Council's Online Services (OLS) account
Prepare a complete application including a detailed production budget, treatment, CVs of key personnel, proof of rights to the material, an exhibition strategy, and examples of previous work
Include any additional personal disability access costs required, in addition to the core award amount
Submit the completed application and all supporting material through Online Services before the published deadline
If successful, an offer email is sent detailing the funding amount and terms and conditions; the offer must be accepted through the applicant's Online Services account, and a separate payment guide explains how to draw down funding