14 emerging TV writers selected for Screen Ireland’s screenwriting competition

Screen Ireland has announced the finalists for the TV-comedy round of Spotlight, it's flagship writing-talent development scheme. The Spotlight competition is aimed at discovering and developing original and underrepresented new voices.

The Spotlight Scheme was established in 2018 as the New Writing Scheme. It provides an opportunity for emerging writers to develop a project with guidance and mentorship from leading industry figures at the start of their writing careers. This round received over 300 applications, a significant increase on the 2020 scheme’s total of 195 applications.

Out of the 300 applicants, 14 writers have been chosen to participate. They will develop a bible and pilot episode screenplay for a 30 minute TV-comedy series.

“We are delighted to congratulate the 11 successful writing teams selected for the TV Comedy round of Spotlight this year. Screen Ireland is committed to discovering and developing new creative talent, particularly voices that represent the full breadth and diversity of modern Ireland. We look forward to seeing the results from this year’s Spotlight writers, and are delighted to support them as they develop their craft alongside fostering connections with Irish and international industry” says Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive of Screen Ireland.

This year, the Spotlight has partnered with the newly established National Talent Academy for Film and Television, who will facilitate the structured development programme for the new screenwriters. This will include a series of virtual webinars and masterclasses as well as an industry networking event. An assortment of industry professionals will be contributing to the program as well-seasoned mentors.

The programme aims to discover original and diverse screenwriting talent, particularly for projects that are inclusive and representative of modern Ireland. As such, the organisation continues to strongly encourage and actively seek applications from a wide range of voices, especially those from minority groups that are underrepresented in Ireland's screen industry. This includes applicants who have never applied to Screen Ireland and have no previous credits as a feature or television screenwriter.

The 2022 Spotlight scheme is set to run in smaller, themed rounds across specific creative disciplines, genres, and formats, with the first iteration being TV Comedy.

The successful Spotlight projects and writers are as follows:

1. Cabaret Cartel by Tania Notaro
2. Old Goose by Martin Angolo and Gerard Staunton
3. Stepping Out by Arianne Hutch
4. The Importance of Eyebrows by Darren McMahon
5. Paper by Diandra Xavier
6. C'mere to Me by Robert O'Sullivan
7. Waking Ireland by Melissa Nolan and Melanie Phillips
8. I'm the Boss by Lee-Loi Chieng
9. Good-Bi by Eleanor Rogers
10. The King of Tory Island by Shannon Welby
11. Scouting For Boys by Allie O'Rourke and Matthew Tallon

The gang wins a writing competition.

Out of 300 applications, 14 new writers have been selected as this year's Spotlight: TV Comedy finalists. 💚📽️#IrishTV #IrishTalenthttps://t.co/nWpggaOXbJ

— Screen Ireland (@ScreenIreland) April 27, 2022