Our Creative Heartlands Film Bursary 2026 Application Is In!

We’re delighted to share that Black Hole Studio has officially submitted our application for the Creative Heartlands Film Bursary 2026. This year’s application felt like a milestone - not just because of the creativity behind the project, but because it’s the first time we formally tracked the time and effort required from start to finish.

Taking Stock: A More Measured Approach

For the first time, we committed to keeping precise records of the work that goes into preparing a funding application. The results were eye‑opening.

Over 40 Hours of Application Work Alone

From the initial reading of the bursary requirements to the final upload of documents, the process took over 40 hours.This includes:

• Reading and analysing the application criteria

• Reaching out to collaborators

• Collecting bios, samples, and supporting documents

• Drafting, revising, and formatting the submission

It’s the kind of labour that often goes unseen, but tracking it gave us a clear picture of what a professional, high‑quality submission genuinely requires and that doesn't include the creative work already done. These 40+ hours do not include the substantial time already spent:

• Developing the script

• Writing and refining the treatment

• Building the project concept long before the bursary was announced

  
  

  

Like many creative endeavours, this early development work is unpaid - driven by passion, commitment, and the belief that the story deserves to be told. Funding opportunities like this bursary can make the difference between ideas staying on the page or becoming real, but the groundwork begins long before an application window opens.

Reaching Out to Collaborators

Finding the right collaborators was one of the more challenging parts of the process. People were busy, unavailable, or simply hard to reach at the right moment. But as always, persistence paid off. The contributors who came onboard enriched the project with their expertise, creativity, and willingness to help shape something meaningful.

Benefit to Regional Artists

Our filmmaking team is composed predominantly of creatives from the Creative Heartlands region of Sligo, Leitrim, and Roscommon, ensuring the project remains rooted in the community the bursary is designed to support. A small number of contributors from outside the region are involved through existing creative links, including collaborations with the Midlands Polish Community – TV project in Athlone, Co. Roscommon, and music‑based networks around Frenchpark on the boders of neighbouring countied Leitrim, Mayo, and Galway. These connections naturally extend the project's creative base while maintaining a strong Heartlands foundation.

Crew (from the set of Ann)

Efforts were made to recruit additional crew from within the Creative Heartlands region, but many were unavailable or not in a position to commit during the production period. The absence of a comprehensive regional Crew/Talent Database further limited the ability to identify qualified local professionals. Something Black Hole Studio has been requesting for quite some time. We have now set up a Crew DataBase of our own in the hope that this can be a useful service to all film-makers in the area. Consequently, it became necessary to engage a small number of practitioners from outside the immediate region to fill essential roles and ensure the project’s feasibility.

Despite these challenges, the project, if successful, will deliver significant and tangible benefits to artists living and working within Sligo, Leitrim, and Roscommon. These include:

• Strengthened Regional Networks – Local creatives collaborate across counties and disciplines, expanding durable professional connections.

• Professional Development Opportunities – Artists gain hands‑on experience by working within defined roles on an active production, supporting career growth.

• Access to Mentoring & Equipment Supports – Through Creative Heartlands’ in‑kind offerings, practitioners benefit from technical training and higher‑quality production resources.

• Festival Exposure – Completed work will be showcased at key regional festivals, increasing visibility and recognition for local talent.

• Career Advancement – New credits and experience strengthen artists’ CVs and future funding prospects, enhancing employability.

• Local Employment Opportunities – The production provides accessible, paid or credited roles for creatives living within the region.

• Cultural Contribution – The project contributes to the evolving screen culture of the Creative Heartlands, reinforcing regional creative identity.

• Educational Opportunity Through an Intern Role – An intern will work directly on the production, gaining invaluable hands‑on experience, professional insight, and mentorship that would be difficult to access otherwise.

  
  

This combination of artistic, professional, and educational benefits ensures the project meaningfully supports the development of local talent while contributing to the long‑term growth of the Creative Heartlands filmmaking ecosystem.

Collating and Finalising Everything

Gathering all the required materials - CVs, budgets, work samples, statements, timelines - was the final stretch. This stage demanded focus, organisation, and plenty of back-and-forth communication, but it brought the whole project into clear, cohesive form.

A Big Thank You

To everyone who offered their time, support, ideas, and documentation: thank you. None of this would be possible without your contributions. Your involvement strengthened the submission and helped us put our best foot forward.

Now We Wait

With the application submitted, all we can do now is wait to hear the outcome.We’re hopeful, and incredibly proud of the work that has gone into getting this far. Regardless of the result, this experience has helped us better understand our workflow and the real investment behind every opportunity we pursue.

We’ll update you as soon as we hear back.

Thanks for following our journey!