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 the 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 several months. Not only will this scheme help you get a short film made, it is heavily focused on skills development and supporting you in kickstarting and establishing a career in film and TV.
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 path in the industry and grow a successful career.
The aim is for selected filmmaking teams to start the programme in spring 2026 with the final delivery of a short by January 2027.
All submission requirements can be found in the guidelines, HERE
The deadline to submit your application is March 6th at 10AM
Who can apply?
Applicants must apply as a team made up of two or more members, which must contain a Writer, a Director, and a Producer or a Writer/Director and a Producer
All applicants must also be new to the industry, with this being their first funded live-action drama film.
We encourage applications from diverse teams across Ireland. The NTA are committed to breaking down barriers and providing a platform for voices from regional talent and communities that are currently under-represented within the screen sector.
How can I apply?
The first step for all applicants is to attend one of our four registration days.
These will take place on:
Day One: Thursday, January 15th 2026, Dublin (Evening)Day Two: Saturday, January 31st 2026, Waterford (afternoon)Day Three: Sunday, February 15th 2026, Sligo (afternoon)Day Four: Wednesday, February 25th 2026, Online at 18.00 - limited spaces available.
All registration events are now closed.
At these events, the NTA will answer any questions around the scheme. At the in-person events, applicants will also be given the opportunity to pitch to other attendees, and the events will end with a networking session.
After attending the registration day, participants will be given an individual application link to apply for the scheme. An ‘Application Resource Pack’ with industry standard templates, reference documents, and other materials will be shared after the events.
Attendance is compulsory if you wish to submit a formal application to the First Credit Short Film Scheme. You can find more info and register to attend one of our registration days HERE
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.
In the meantime, more information about the application process, submission deliverables and eligibility can be found in our guidelines, linked HERE. You should read these carefully before the registration event, and before submitting your application.
The deadline to submit your application is March 6th at 10AM
Next Steps
A shortlist of teams will be invited for interview by an expert panel, with up to three live-action and three animation teams being selected to participate in the scheme.
Key Dates
Registration Days:
Day One: Thursday, January 15th 2026, Dublin (Evening)Day Two: Saturday, January 31st 2026, Waterford (afternoon)Day Three: Sunday, February 15th 2026, Sligo (afternoon)- Day Four: Wednesday, February 25th 2026, at 18.00 Online (afternoon)
Application Deadline: Monday March 6th 10AM
Further Information
You can contact NTA Film & TV with any queries around the application process at liveaction.shorts@nationaltalentacademies.ie
Please read the guidelines in detail before emailing.
We are happy to provide additional support and adjust guidelines if necessary to meet any accessibility requirements you may have. To discuss this, please contact Eibh Collins at liveaction.shorts@nationaltalentacademies.ie with the subject ‘application access supports’, at least fourteen days before the application deadline.
The deadline to apply to the First Credit Short Film Scheme 2026 is March 6th at 10AM
Don’t forget to register to attend one of our four registration days ASAP.
National Talent Academy of Film and TV Drama is an initiative of Screen Ireland/Fís Éireann, managed by Ardán.
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