Screen Ireland eyes online player for short film hoard
FÍS Éireann/Screen Ireland, the development agency for the Irish film industry, has issued a request for tender seeking an online player to show the short films it funds.
Ergo understands that the agency, which funds around 15 short films a year and has a back catalogue of nearly 450, is hoping to develop a solution that will allow users to access the films via a channel on its website.
However, RTÉ and Virgin Media shouldn’t be quaking in their boots just yet. Ergo understands that Screen Ireland doesn’t intend for the service to act as an online streaming challenger. The service is more to help short filmmakers promote their products to festivals, award shows and the wider industry.
Typically, short films funded by Screen Ireland are made into DVDs before receiving their premiere. For up to two years after, they are promoted to festivals, award shows and industry professionals.
Ergo understands the solution sought by Screen Ireland has been caused by DVDs becoming obsolete. It is hoped the online streaming service will first promote the short films to festival directors and programmers via the player in a private industry capacity.
After a period of private promotion, Screen Ireland may then release the short films to the public through the service.
The agency said: “By cataloguing and creating an online hub for Irish shorts, we aim to help these films and filmmakers reach wider, more diverse audiences, as well as enabling Screen Ireland to effectively and easily promote new and emerging talent internationally.”