FÍS TV Summit Pitching Competition & Workshops

Passionate about storytelling? Eager to captivate audiences with groundbreaking TV concepts? Want to win one-thousand euro? This is your chance!  

The NTA in collaboration with Ardán and FÍS TV Summit are delighted to invite aspiring creators to submit their innovative TV show ideas for a chance to pitch to a room of industry professionals at this year's TV Summit, taking place on Thursday 1st February 2024. 

It’s an opportunity to get your ideas noticed by industry leaders and decision-makers, connect with professionals who can turn your vision into reality and could lead to development deals and production opportunities.  

Those selected to pitch at the TV Summit will take part in an in-person workshop with Mary-Kate O’Flanagan on 20th January and a pre-FÍS rehearsal pitch on 31st January before pitching at the FÍS TV Summit.

The winning pitch will get a €1,000 prize. 

Applicants interested in pitching at the TV Summit must be available to take part in the in-person workshop, the rehearsal and to attend the FÍS TV Summit. 

To aid those interested in applying and upskilling in this area, Mary Kate O’Flanagan will host a free online workshop named ‘Your Pitch has Already Started’. Which explores the art of pitching as well as creating a Logline, Synopsis and Treatment for a pitch. The workshop will take place on December 18th from 5.00-7.30PM

This online workshop is not mandatory when applying for the FÍS TV Summit Pitching Competition. 

We invite the wider industry to also attend, regardless of whether you are submitting to the FÍS TV Summit Pitching Competition or not. 

Dates/Duration:  

December 18th, Online Webinar workshop named ‘Your Pitch has Already Started’ from 5.00 - 7.30 PM. 

20th January, In-person Workshop One, (time & location tbc)  

31st January, In-person Workshops Two, (half day, time tbc & Galway City) 

1st Feburary, Pitching Competition at FÍS TV Summit (Galway City) 

Who Can Apply: 

Anyone or any team that is working on an idea for a live action television drama, TV single, miniseries, or short form/web series is eligible to enter the competition. 

Applicants must be; 

• Over 18 

• Out of education (full-time) 

• Residing in Ireland 

• Be available on the mentioned dates 

The NTAFT & Ardán are keen to hear from creatives from diverse backgrounds, and additionally regionally based talent and productions.  

How To Apply:  

Applicants must apply by completing the application form link HERE. This application form will ask you to supply a download link to the following materials/documents.     

• Episode One Script for TV Show 

• Logline & Synopsis for show 

• Series Treatment for show 

• Signed declaration of ownership of all materials.  

• CV, detailed work biography or a detailed summary of work and credits to date (up to 2 pages) for lead writer/applicant/applicants.  

• A Personal Statement detailing how this initiative will progress your career (up to 2 pages or filmed statement of up to 3 minutes) lead writer/applicant/applicants. 

The application form with Guidelines for submission can be found here.  

For more information contact Kenny@ardan.ie    

Please make sure you are available for the two in-person workshops & TV Summit before submitting. 

Please RSVP for the ‘Your Pitch has Already Started’ Online webinar workshop on December 18th from 5-7PM, HERE.  

Deadline to apply: 

Deadline for applications is Jan 2nd 3PM .

Deadline to RSVP for the ‘Your Pitch has Already Started’ online workshop is December 17th at 5PM.

Note: Once you have submitted a RSVP for the online event, your place is confirmed, you will receive a link on December 18th. 

Applications will not be accepted after that date. An incomplete application will not be taken into consideration  

Selection Process: 

Approx. six projects will be selected for the Workshop and Live Pitch.  

Selected applicants will be notified approximately two weeks after application deadline.   

The applications will be assessed by a panel including representatives of the National Talent Academy for Film & Television, Ardán, Mary Kate O’Flanagan and independent external assessors. 

Applications will be judged on: 
- Originality and Creativity 
- Marketability 
- Audience Appeal 
- Feasibility 

Further Information 

The most recent winner of the FÍS TV Summit Pitching Competition was Heather Brown with The Peace Makers, which told the story of a group of trailblazing women in Northern Ireland who founded a women’s political party in just 6 weeks to ensure women had a voice at the Peace Talks.  

And the 2020 FÍS TV Summit Pitching Competition was won by the team made up of Ray Lawlor, Oonagh Kearney & Paddy Hayes who pitched their show Obituary, about a small-town obituarist who resorts to murder when work dries up locally.  In the audience that year was Laurent Boissel (APC Studios) who loved the idea and signed on as executive producer alongside Paddy Hayes for the show which was shot in Donegal in 2023 and broadcast on RTÉ and is available to stream on Hulu.   

For questions, please email  kenny@ardan.ie The NTA Film & TV reserves the right to make amendments to this initiative subject to funding, production landscape and health and safety requirements at the time of delivery. 

Tickets for FÍS TV Summit 2024 will be available in December 2023, on ardan.ie  

The National Talent Academy Film and TV is an initiative of Screen Ireland