Announced: Creative Heartlands (SLR) Short Film Bursary Scheme

The 2026 Creative Heartlands (SLR) Short Film Bursary Scheme is now open and will run for six weeks, closing on Monday 23rd March 2026 (midnight).

Three bursaries are available to film teams, each to the value of €6,000.

The Creative Heartlands Film Bursary is an annual award by Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon Arts Office and Creative Ireland Programmes. The award is open to both established and emerging filmmakers and production companies, living/working in the SLR region, and designed to support collaboration among filmmaking teams in the development of an original Short Film.

The earlier timeline for this year’s scheme is designed to allow a stronger pre-production window, enabling filming in early summer and project completion by August. 

Films are to be delivered by Sunday 2nd August 2026 (midnight) for presentation at the Strandhill Film and Folk Festival (August 2026), Adaptation Film Festival (September 2026) and Roscommon International Film Festival (October 2026).

Note:  The previous “adaptation” requirement has been removed from the criteria.

Deadline for applications is Midnight, Monday 23^rd March 2026

To make a submission, follow this link: https://forms.leitrimcoco.ie/form-88812/creative-heartlands-film-bursary-2026
For any clarification, please contact creativeheartlandsfilm@gmail.com

Emma Brennan was the successful Roscommon recipient in 2025

"Over The Hedge" was the Roscommon recipient of the 2025 Creative Heartlands Film Bursary.  Over The Hedge was directed, produced and adapted by Roscommon native Emma Brennan and based on the short story “Beyond The Hedge” by Roscommon-based writer Rose Byrne. The film stars Gerry Herbert and Andrea Kelly and was filmed in Doon, Co. Roscommon in July 2025.  It was screened at the 2025 Adaptation Film Festival at the Glens Centre in Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim and at Roscommon Arts Centre as part of Roscommon International Film Festival 2025.