IGNITE-DOCS is a collaboration between Cork International Film Festival (Ireland’s first and largest film festival and destination for cinematic documentary) and Docs Ireland (the all-Ireland documentary focused festival from Belfast Film Festival), this cross-border partnership seeks to foster a new generation of Irish documentary filmmakers from the north and south of Ireland.
Feature documentary in Ireland has developed exponentially over the past decade, with countless award-winning non-fiction films gaining traction and being showcased both nationally, and on an international level; through festivals, cinema releases, television broadcast and VOD. The aim of IGNITE-Docs is to aid in the long term sustainable growth and artistry of talent in the Irish documentary film community, through training and skills development, mentorship and drawing from the resources and expertise of both festivals.
The scheme is project-led, and supports the progression of the selected projects and their teams, through training that focuses on the development process of documentary, from inception to exhibition. The scheme aims to foster a new generation of non-fiction creative documentary talent from all over the island of Ireland to pursue their first or second feature, and to provide them with a platform to develop the spectrum of skills and knowledge required to succeed as a feature documentary filmmaker on an international level.
During this comprehensive training initiative, participants will gain a grounding in all facets of developing their project, and will acquire market knowledge of the documentary industry, learning about the current trends in non-fiction film production, and giving them an expansive understanding of the sector. The programme includes workshops, masterclasses, and in person conversations with established documentarians, broadcasters, funders, sales agents, and other industry professionals. All training takes place in an intimate environment, which will allow a hands-on approach; facilitating maximum learning potential and the opportunity to network and foster new relationships.
The 2023/2024 programme provided a long-term engagement, comprising:
- Training days at Cork International Film Festival in November 2023, and Docs Ireland in June 2024.
- Regular online training days from November 2023 – June 2024
- The opportunity to attend Sheffield Doc Fest in June 2024.
See below for a list of our YEAR 4 IGNITE participants.
Full IGNITE guidelines are available to view below:
IGNITE 4 Guidelines (in English)
IGNITE 4 Guidelines (as Gaeilge)
If you have any queries, please contact ignite@corkfilmfest.org
The Ignite Documentary Talent Development programme is supported by TG4, the Arts Council of Ireland, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen.
Amanda
Director: José Miguel Jimenez Gonzalez
“Amanda” intimately explores Irish painter Amanda Cullen’s life, from teenage institutionalisation to her transformative journey through art-making. The film is a visually immersive, non-linear diary, which crafts a portrait of the artist’s resilience.
Canine
Director: Paul Webster
As time runs out for the Black Rhino in South Africa, an elite dog trainer in Cork trains a specialist anti-poaching dog for delivery to another Irishman, a conservationist working on the frontline.
Jamie Griffin: Merlin Twist
Director: Nathan Griffin
An isolated yet ingenious teen skater in rural Ireland uses social media to propel himself from tricks in his cramped country shed to winning one of skateboarding’s biggest tournaments.
Our Lady Rebecca
Director: Nicky Larkin
From celebrity stylist at the Eurovision to heroin-addicted sex-worker in Soho, Rebecca Tallon DeHavilland was Ireland’s first trans person. Ireland never forgave her for it.
Seamus Ennis: The Last Notes of an Era
Director: Feilimí O’Connor
Producer: Aisling Ni Fhlaithearta
“Embark on a captivating journey into the heart of Irish music in ‘Seamus Ennis: The Last Notes of an Era.’ This biographical documentary explores the extraordinary life of Seamus Ennis, the ‘Godfather of Irish Music,’ whose quest to preserve tradition during the Second World War era shaped global musical landscapes.
Slane
Director: Garret Daly
Producer: Martina McGlynn
An up close portrait exploring 40 years of rock n’ roll at the iconic venue Slane Castle, a natural amphitheatre by the banks of the River Boyne and home to the best loved concert series Ireland has ever seen.
From Belfast to Palestine
Director: Peadar Ó Goill
Producer: Ainle Ó Cairealláin
Night raids and tear gas attacks are among the challenges of life as a Belfast native sets out to open a gym in the Aida Refugee Camp.
The Worst and the Best
Director: Cathy Dunne
Producer: Maggie Ryan
This cinematic documentary follows a professional dancer throughout her first pregnancy and interrogates what it means to be a woman whose identity is so interwoven with their career, on the cusp of motherhood.