First Credit Short Film Scheme: Live Action Registration Days (2026)

First Credit Short Film Scheme: Live Action Registration Days (2026)

First Credit Short Film Scheme: Live Action Registration Days (2026) 

The NTA Film & TV are excited to invite new filmmakers to attend a registration day for live-action filmmakers interested in applying to the First Credit Short Film Scheme 2026.  

  

What is the First Credit Short Film Scheme? 

If you are a Writer, Director or Producer yet to make your mark in the live-action or animation industry, this initiative from NTA Film & TV Drama and NTA Animation aims to support you in creating a short film and gaining your first professional credit as a Writer, Director, or Producer. 

  

The First Credit Short Film Scheme is targeted at new filmmakers, with the backing of a €8,000 fund that will provide the filmmaking team with carefully tailored mentoring, training, and workshops delivered by experienced industry professionals over the course of a year.  Not only will this scheme help you get a short film made, it is also heavily focused on skills development and supporting you in kickstarting and establishing a career in film, TV and animation.   

  

This is an unparalleled opportunity which opens a door into the industry and will enable participants to create a solid foundation upon which to forge their own path and grow a successful career. 
    

Who can attend? 

If you meet the applicant requirements, are submitting a live-action drama application and/or if you are a Writer, Director, or Producer who is new to the industry, with no prior funded films to your name, you are welcome to register and attend this event. 

Attending at least one registration day is compulsory if you wish to submit a formal application to the First Credit Short Film Scheme. 

Bear in mind that applications to the scheme are made as a team which must include a Writer, a Director, and a Producer or a Writer/Director and a Producer.  

  

The registration day will provide a unique opportunity for filmmakers, looking for team members, to pitch ideas to the room. Following this, all potential applicants have an opportunity to network with each other. 

It is highly recommended that you attend an in-person networking event if you are looking to find a team. There is no opportunity to pitch or network on the online session. 

 

Registration Day Event Details 

Attendance is compulsory if you wish to submit a formal application to the First Credit Short Film Scheme. 

We are running four registration days in 2026. Three days are in-person, and one will be online via Zoom. Times & locations TBA.  

Please note that capacity for all registration events is limited, and once those RSVP lists reach venue capacity they will be closed to further registrations. This includes an online registration period, allowing NTA staff to answer questions within the allocated time. 

 

  • Day One: Thursday, January 15th Dublin (Evening) 
  • Day Two: Saturday, January 31st Waterford (afternoon) 
  • Day Three: Sunday, February 15th Sligo (afternoon) 
  • Day Four: Wednesday, February 25th Online, 18.00  (afternoon) - limited spaces available.

 

All registration events are now closed.

 

Sign-in followed by: 

  • NTA introduction & application walk-through 
  • Q&A  
  • Break 
  • Pitching Session 
  • Networking 

Each day will kick off with an introduction from the NTA about the First Credit Short Film Scheme. NTA staff will then run a Q&A session, giving participants the opportunity to ask any questions that they have.  If you are taking part in the online event, you will be able to submit questions when completing the RSVP form. 

After a short break, filmmakers will be able to pitch their project and/or themselves to the room, and the event will conclude with a networking session where all attendees can mingle and discuss potential projects. 

After attending the registration day, participants will be given an individual link to apply for the scheme and an ‘Application Resource Pack’ with industry standard templates, reference documents, and other materials. 
  

How To RSVP:   

Register for any four of the live-action drama events with the RSVP link HERE 

If you RSVP to take part in a registration day, your place is automatically confirmed.  

You will receive the time & location details or Zoom link closer to the meeting date. 

Please list any access requirements that are needed when submitting a RSVP. 

The deadline to RSVP for any of our four registration days is 24 hours before the event’s start time or when the list reaches capacity. RSVPs are first come, first served. 

  

Please note that capacity for all registration events is limited, and once those RSVP lists reach venue capacity they will be closed to further registrations.  

 

Further Information: 

This event is for live-action drama applicants only.    

More information about the application process, eligibility and guidelines for the First Credit Short Film Scheme is available HERE 

  

For any queries about this event and in general, you can contact NTA Film & TV Drama at liveaction.shorts@nationaltalentacademies.ie  or NTA Animation animation@nationaltalentacademies.ie 

  

National Talent Academy for Film and TV Drama is an initiative of Screen Ireland/Fís Éireann and is managed by Ardán.