NTA Film & TV and WRAP Commission | Mentorship Programme for Producers (2026)

The National Talent Academy for Film & TV Drama and the WRAP Commission are delighted to announce their second Screen Producers Mentorship Programme.

Following the success of the 2024–2025 edition and as part of our ongoing commitment to nurturing and developing creative talent nationwide, NTA Film & TV, in collaboration with the WRAP Commission, is delighted to launch the 2026 Mentorship Programme for Producers working in live-action drama and documentary.

This Mentorship Programme aims to support producers at various career stages, across different fields and backgrounds by providing tailored guidance to help address skills gaps and support career development. Each mentee will be matched with a suitable mentor based on their experience and development needs.

Building on the recently developed Competency Framework for Film and TV Producers, the 2026 programme will focus mentoring support on the following areas:

Creative & Professional Practice: Supports producers to develop strong creative judgement and professional confidence, enabling effective collaboration with writers, directors, and key stakeholders across development and production.
Production & Business Skills: Builds producers’ technical, financial, and rights-aware capabilities to manage productions effectively while balancing delivery requirements with long-term sustainability.
Leadership & Strategic Development: Develops producers as creative and operational leaders, supporting strategic decision-making, team leadership, and the growth of producer-led businesses centred on original IP.
Personal Development & Resilience: Supports producers to build self-awareness, resilience, and wellbeing strategies, enabling sustainable careers and confident leadership in a high-pressure industry.

Further details on the areas of focus are outlined below.

Dates/Duration:

Deadline for applications is March 2nd at 12 Noon.
Mentoring to start by May and run to Nov/Dec 2026 (dates are flexible, but all mentorship hours must be completed by December 2026).
Mentors will be paid for approx. 10 hours+ of their time per mentorship.

Who Can Apply:

Emerging, and established Producers, Executive Producers, Creative Producers, Development Producers, Line Producers, Associate Producers, and Service-oriented Producers are welcome to apply.

Applicants must;

Be working in (or are making the career transition to work in) Live-Action, and Documentary,
Be living and working in Ireland
Be over 21 years of age, and
Be out of (full and part time) education.
Not be actively taking part in other Mentoring Programmes or Producer focused training programmes; Including Advanced Producers, EMERGE Producers, Screen Ireland Mentorship Programme.

We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals living outside of Dublin and/or Wicklow and furthermore living/working in the WRAP regions of Clare, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, and/or Sligo.

Note that applications from Producers from other fields (e.g. Animation) who are looking to build on their body of work and move into Live-Action Drama or Documentary may also apply.

How To Apply:

Applicants must apply by completing the linked application form HERE

In this form you will be asked to supply a download (Google Drive or Dropbox preferred) link with the following materials.

Media CV or professional work Bio detailing relevant experience.
A personal statement outlining how this initiative will support your career progression, the areas you hope to focus on with your mentor, and why you are applying for this scheme at this stage of your career. (This may be submitted as a written statement of up to two pages or as a filmed statement of up to three minutes)

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The NTA Film & TV will meet all access requirements of the selected applicants and cover the associated costs.

How The Mentorship Will Work:

Under the guidance of NTA Film & TV, WRAP, and selected mentors, the objectives, goals and expectations of the mentorship will be set. From here, the mentor and mentee will coordinate ten hours at their convenience (online and in person). Mentoring to start by May and run to Nov/Dec 2026. These dates are flexible, but all mentorship hours must be completed by December 2026).

Deadline for applications: Monday March 2nd at 12 Noon.

Mentoring Areas of Focus:

1. Creative & Professional Practice Mentoring

To strengthen the producer’s core professional behaviours that underpin success across all stages of their career.

Develop, refine, and evaluate original ideas, scripts, and projects while maintaining a clear creative vision.
Communicate effectively with writers, directors, funders, and collaborators across all stages of development and production.
Act as creative producers who actively shape scripts, story, and tone in partnership with writers and directors.
Build and sustain effective producer–writer and producer–director collaborations.
Lead creative feedback, negotiation, and decision-making with confidence and professionalism.
Identify, nurture, and support emerging and under-represented creative talent through inclusive development practices.

Best suited for: Emerging and early mid-career producers seeking to strengthen creative judgement, professional confidence, and collaborative relationships with writers and directors.

2. Production & Business Skills

To build confidence and competence in the technical and operational aspects of producing.

Understand and manage the full production lifecycle from development through delivery.
Build confidence in budgeting, scheduling, cashflow, and production planning.
Navigate funding structures, applications, reporting requirements, and delivery obligations.
Understand legal, contractual, health & safety, and compliance responsibilities.
Develop awareness of IP ownership, optioning, development deals, and rights reversion within production workflows.
Balance short-term delivery needs with long-term creative-rights and exploitation considerations.

Best suited for: Producers moving into larger-scale or more complex productions who want to deepen their technical, financial, and rights-aware production expertise.

3. Leadership & Strategic Development

To support producers in their role as creative and operational leaders.

Lead creative and production teams with clarity, authority, and emotional intelligence.
Develop strategic thinking around project selection, career progression, and company growth.
Manage delegation, conflict, and complex decision-making under pressure.
Balance creative leadership with financial responsibility and accountability.
Develop producer-led business strategies centred on original IP creation and retention.
Lead negotiations and partnerships from a position of strategic clarity rather than service dependency.

Best suited for: Those returning to work and emerging, mid-career to established producers leading teams, managing multiple projects, or building producer-led companies focused on original IP.

4. Personal Development & Resilience Mentoring

To support the internal growth, wellbeing, and sustainability of producers working in a high-pressure industry.

Increase self-awareness around strengths, values, leadership style, and development needs.
Build resilience in response to rejection, uncertainty, and long-term industry pressures.
Develop healthy strategies for managing stress, workload, and wellbeing.
Strengthen confidence and authority in creative leadership and negotiation contexts.
Navigate power dynamics with creatives, funders, and partners while maintaining boundaries.
Sustain long-term careers aligned with personal values, creative ambition, and professional integrity.

Best suited for: Producers at all career stages who are navigating career transitions, increased responsibility, or the long-term pressures of working in the screen industry.

These lists are intended to be indicative and not exhaustive.

Further Information:

The National Talent Academy for Film and TV Drama is an initiative of Screen Ireland managed by Ardán

The WRAP Commission is operated by WRAP, an initiative of Ardán and the Western Development Commission, with the support of the local authorities of Clare, Donegal, Galway City, Galway County, Sligo, Leitrim, and Roscommon, and Údarás na Gaeltachta. It aims to empower regional producers, thereby solidifying the WRAP regions as a thriving hub for the screen industry.

The NTA Film & TV drama reserves the right to make amendments to this initiative subject to funding, production landscape and health and safety requirements at the time of delivery.

For any questions, please email filmandtv@nationaltalentacademies.ie