RTÉ calls for half-hour scripted comedies

RTÉ and the Irish Film Board have formed a partnership to support new Irish scripted comedy projects with export potential.

After the success of shows like The Young Offenders (pictured), RTÉ is calling for proposals for half-hour scripted comedies, which have the potential to be picked up by international distributors and broadcasters.

Participation in this initiative requires producers to source additional financial investment from international distributors and/or broadcasters, which, at a minimum, matches RTÉ’s investment at pilot and series stage.

The scheme will have three phases: an initial selection of ten projects for development (funded by RTÉ and the IFB); the selection of four of these to proceed to broadcast pilot (again funded by RTÉ and IFB, with producers being asked to source additional funding from international sources); and finally, one of these pilots will proceed to a full series (funding from RTÉ plus international funding).

Projects may also qualify for the Section 481 tax credit at both pilot and series phase, which will add further funding to the scheme.

RTÉ’s head of comedy, Eddie Doyle said: “We want to help bring the next generation of Irish comedy talent to the world. There are so many, extraordinarily talented writers, performers, producers and directors, coming out of Ireland at the moment, and at the same time, the appetite for Irish comedy, at home and abroad, has never been greater.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Irish Film Board, and we want to use this initiative to find new partners, in our mission to serve Irish talent and Irish audiences.”