Virgin Media short film competition judges include Lisa McGee and Lenny Abrahamson

Director Lenny Abrahamson and screenwriter Lisa McGee are among the judges on this year’s Virgin Media Discovers short film competition, the broadcaster has announced.

Virgin Media, in association with Screen Ireland, are committed to discovering different voices in film, and we are calling for ideas that bring diverse tales, voices and stories to life.

This year, they have a total prize fund of €150,000 to share among 10 shortlisted projects, with two overall winners scooping €30,000 worth of investment each to go towards the production of their scripts.

Joining Derry Girls creator McGee and Abrahamson – the director of Room, Garage and BBC tv drama Normal People – are IFTA award-winning actor Niamh Algar and the screenwriter and executive producer Ursula Rani Sarma, who has written for Red Rock and Delicious.

Last year’s winner, Innocent Boy, written and directed by John Connors, was shown at the Irish Film Institute.

The Virgin Media Discovers Short Film Competition is open to all aspiring filmmakers, whether it’s your first time or propels you onto a national platform.

The deadline for submissions is midnight 30th November, 2020.