The Docs Ireland Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Day will open the doors to up-and coming documentary talent from the UK & island of Ireland in a friendly and inclusive environment. We aim to foster creativity and conversation, disseminate information and boost confidence for new storytellers to develop their creative non-fiction filmmaking practice.

The event will unpack funding opportunities, share experiences from seasoned producers, offer inspirational case studies of recent doc marvels and provide a space to meet funders and representatives from across the documentary field. Plus an opportunity to network and connect with new collaborators for your projects in a supportive space.

Sessions on the day will include:

Funding and Supporting New Voices in Non-fiction

This session will offer participants a snapshot of current opportunities for emerging nonfiction filmmakers in Northern Ireland, in terms of funding, professional and project development. This includes the new Made of Truth: BFI Doc Society Fund, which supports new and emerging filmmaking talent from across the UK as part of BFI NETWORK.

Speakers:

Sandra Whipham - Director, Doc Society

Christine Morrow - New & Emerging Talent Executive, Northern Ireland Screen

Roisín Geraghty - Project Manager, IGNITE Talent Development Programme

Navigating the leap from Shorts to Features

This session will explore director Ross McClean’s path from directing short documentaries, in particular his highly successful film Hydebank, through to constructing his debut feature doc Beyond the Fold, a film which expands on the story of Hydebank’s protagonist.

Aided by producer Bronte Stahl, the two will unpack the films journey thus far, and the process of developing, financing and creatively navigating the production of this debut observational film.

Speakers:

Ross McClean - Director (Hydebank, Beyond the Fold)

Bronte Stahl - Producer (Beyond the Fold)

The Role of The Documentary Producer

This session will interrogate the pivotal role of producers in creative feature documentary making, work which often goes unseen and unsung.

It will examine the key facets of producing independent documentary, both creatively and logistically - from legals, contracts, budgets, schedules to helping the director shape the creative arc of a project, and explore the key challenges of their role, as well as provide advice on how to get support and resources for projects.

Speakers:

Rebecca Wolff - Producer (SuperNature)

Jackie Doyle - Producer (Lyra)

Directorial Case Study in Creative Documentary Filmmaking - Tish

This intimate career case study with BIFA award winning director Paul Sng will follow his filmmaking career and filmic trajectory; including how he develops his nonfiction stories and has navigated his creative path, with a focus on his most recent film Tish (Sheffield Doc Fest, 2023), which features in this year’s Docs Ireland programme.

Speaker: Paul Sng, Director (Tish, Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché, Dispossession: The Great Housing Swindle)

The event will conclude with a networking drinks reception, supported by Red Wolf Films.