Funding allocated to 25 TV and 59 radio productions
Coimisiún na Meán has today (18.03.2025) announced €7.1 million in funding to support broadcasters and independent producers around the country. Funding from round 55 of the Sound & Vision Scheme has been awarded to 84 TV and radio projects, including documentaries, dramas and animations, as well as entertainment and educational programming.
92% of funding from this round will go towards the independent production sector – €6.5 million in total. Almost 35% of the funding will go to Irish-language or bilingual productions and nearly a quarter of the funding will be allocated to projects aimed at children and young people, helping to ensure the production of a wide range of programming for all age-groups.
Rónán Ó Domhnaill, Media Development Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán said: “Coimisiún na Meán is committed to supporting a thriving, diverse, creative, safe and trusted media sector. We are delighted to be able to award Sound & Vision funding to a variety of radio and television projects which will significantly add to the availability of a diverse range of programming for audiences across the country and we would like to thank our Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport and his Department who allocated an additional €1 million of funding for this round of funding.
“Sound & Vision continues to be a vital funding source for the independent production sector, particularly for programming that otherwise might not be made. This encourages innovation and promotes sustainability within the sector. The funding also contributes to gender equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring that voices from diverse backgrounds are represented and supported within the industry. Of the 25 successful TV projects, 80% involve women in the role of producer.”
In keeping with previous rounds of Sound & Vision, the demand for the scheme considerably exceeded the available funds – 159 applications were received requesting a total of €18.3 million.
Here are some examples of successful applicants:
- Try! – Produced by Pipedream Productions, for broadcast on Virgin Media One, Try! is a portrait of four diverse characters who smash stereotypes and overcome obstacles, on and off the field, on their journey to the Mixed Ability Rugby World Cup in Pamplona in June 2025. This inspiring story of inclusion stars four players, with and without disabilities, working and playing together to achieve their dream of winning the World Cup.
- Beo ón gCuan 3 – A new season of 90-minute concerts with well-known traditional musicians and groups will be recorded live in Stiúideo Cuan and broadcast on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and RTÉ Radio 1.
- One Sweet Hour – For broadcast on RTÉ, this drama feature film about an ageing Elvis impersonator who finally faces his demons as he tours the canals of the Midlands by boat with his long-lost, brother, who has recently quit his life in a monastery. The film will be directed by Declan Recks, written by Eugene O’Brien, and produced by Samson Films.
- Wordsmith – Produced by Padraic Flaherty and for broadcast on Clare FM, this documentary will explore the life and legacy of Edna O’Brien, the author of novels, plays, and short stories who was born in Co. Clare. Her works, including the banned trilogy The Country Girls, reshaped the modern Irish narrative.
- Misinformation Nation – Produced by Virgin Media and for broadcast on Virgin Media One, this docuseries explores misinformation in the digital age in Ireland and the impact it is having on society at large.
- A Day in May – This documentary, produced by John Kelleher Media for broadcast on Oireachtas TV will reflect on the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Marriage Referendum. Playwright Colin Murphy will revisit a diverse cross-section of the Irish LGBT community that Charlie Bird had met with 10 years before, for his book A Day in May. The programme aims to understand how the 2015 Marriage Referendum came about and what we can learn from it today.
- Lí Ban: The Quest for Mídenn – A second series of the thrilling bi-lingual adventure anime for 7-9 year-olds will be produced by Paper Owl Films Limited for broadcast on Cúla 4. The Lí Ban story-verse expands with a mission to rescue Mídenn from the evil Balor. It features brand new yet ancient myths, fierce foes and Celtic magic, with one young girl and her faithful friend at their heart, brave, noble, and determined to triumph.
- Rath Dara Community College Music Project – In this three-part series for community radio station, Phoenix FM, listeners follow Transition Year students in a Dublin DEIS school on a music composition journey. With support from professionals, they brainstorm themes and genres, compose, perform, record, mix their music piece and promote their music online.
- Anam na Mara – An Irish language documentary produced by Venom Films for broadcast on TG4 will look at the powerful and ultra-competitive world of currach racing. Amidst gruelling regattas, we follow a group of men from and isolated Irish-speaking community who row for far more than medals and bragging rights.