FÍS TV Summit 2026 Pitching Competition Winners Announced

The National Talent Academy for Film and TV Drama (NTAFT) was delighted to congratulate Mikey Fleming and Colman Hayes & David Atkinson -  winners of the FÍS TV Summit 2026 Pitching Competition. Their pitch for ‘The Mayor of Comedytown’ impressed the judging panel and deservedly secured the €1,000 prize.

The NTAFT had earlier announced the five finalists selected to take part in the Pitching Competition, which took place in Galway on 26 February 2026 as part of the FÍS TV Summit.

For the first time, the competition had invited applications for unscripted television programmes when it opened in December. Five projects were selected, and their creative teams pitched original unscripted Game and Competition television show concepts to a packed room of industry professionals at the Summit. The winning project was chosen by a panel of industry experts, with the winning team receiving a €1,000 prize.

2026 Finalists

  • Maryjane Smyth -SÁRGHRÚPA: THE CÉILÍ BAND
  • Niamh Heery - IRELAND’S TEEN TRIALS
  • Mikey Fleming, Colman Hayes & David Atkinson - THE MAYOR OF COMEDYTOWN
  • Megan O'Rourke & Jack O'Neill - THE WALL
  • Max Campbell - BANK ON IT

Congratulations were also extended to the Audience Award winner, Max Campbell, for his outstanding pitch of ‘Bank On It’, and to all of the unscripted pitchers whose work and presentations were of an exceptionally high industry standard.

Industry stakeholders who wished to connect with the pitchers were invited to contact:
eibh.collins@nationaltalentacademies.ie

About FÍS TV Summit

The FÍS TV Summit took place at the Radisson RED Galway on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th February 2026. The Pitching Competition was held on Thursday 26 February to a full audience of industry professionals.

Now in its ninth year, FÍS TV Summit 2026 brought together creatives from across the Irish television industry to listen, learn, and connect. The programme featured a carefully curated slate of local, national, and international guests and experts.

Stakeholders included Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Gréasán na Meán Skillnet, TG4, Coimisiún na Meá and WRAP

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