Docs Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen are pleased to announce the shortlisted projects for this year’s NI Screen Feature Documentary Pitching Competition.

In collaboration with Docs Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen are offering a chance to receive an award of up to £9,000 towards a pilot for a documentary feature.

The shortlisted filmmakers, selected from open application by members of the Docs Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen teams, will present their projects at Docs Ireland, where they will receive feedback from a panel of leading Irish film industry players.

The pitch will take place as part of the Docs Ireland festival on Saturday June 24th at 3.30pm at the Black Box in Belfast. The event is free of charge but ticketed. Full details of the event are available here.

The judging panel for the event are:

Nicky Coyle – Funding Executive, Northern Ireland Screen

Rohan Crickmar – Programmer, Cork International Film Festival

Greg Darby – Managing Director, Yellowmoon Post-Production

Brigid O’Shea – Co-Founder, Documentary Association of Europe

Thank you to sponsor Yellowmoon for their support of this event.

SHORTLISTED PROJECTS:

Canine

Director: Paul Webster

Producer: Brian Willis

As time runs out for the Black Rhino in South Africa, Rory, an elite dog trainer in Cork trains

specialist anti-poaching dogs for delivery to Niall, another Irishman, and a conservationist working on the frontline.

Aida

Director: Peadar Ó Goill

Producer: Ainle Ó Cairealláin

A story of resilience in the most tear-gassed place on earth.

Enough is Enough

Director: Shane Caffrey

Producer: Daniel Hegarty

Amidst the Climate Emergency, impassioned activists employ civil disobedience to ignite societal action. Can they navigate the intricate dynamics of their own non hierarchal structure to mobilise action or remain immobilised?

Mir I Am Survivor

Director: Edel O’Mahony

Producers: Kate Southwell

A real life survival guide – the story how one woman turned a life of unimaginable hardship and pain into a journey of joy.

Saving Sodomy from Ulster

Director: Lewis Doherty

Producers: Luke Oliveira-Davies

At the height of The Troubles, a generation of queer people battle their erasure against a homophobic political campaign and oppressive police treatment, formulating a path to peace.

Shades of Blue

Director: Katie McFadden

Producer: Simeon Costello

Through the lens of his fading eyesight, a visually impaired man takes to the ski slopes with a group of friends, proving that even as vision decreases, his determination and lust for life does not.