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15 Producers Selected for the NTA Film & TV Drama and WRAP Commission Mentorship Programme

WRAP NTAFT 2025 Selected Producers

The National Talent Academy for Film & TV Drama (NTAFT) and the WRAP Commission are proud to announce the selection of fifteen producers for their new Mentorship Programme for Producers. The programme, which opened for application in late 2024, aims to support new, emerging, and established producers working in live-action drama and documentary filmmaking. The initiative is part of a broader commitment to nurturing and developing creative talent across Ireland


The Programme was created in response to strong interest generated through a recent Expression of Interest call, with the aim of addressing skills gaps and fostering professional growth. It connects producers with industry-leading mentors who will provide tailored guidance to help them navigate career development and hone their craft. 

The selected producers are Anna Mannion, Bláithín Gallagher, Brian Bowler, Claire Mooney, Edwin Mullane, Eloise Powell, Emily Power, Garry Kelly, James O’Brien Moran, Jemma NicLochlainn, Jerry Twomey, Jo Halpin, Kelly Campbell, Killian Coyle, and Maggie Ryan. Find out more below on the participants below.  

These talented individuals have been paired with a distinguished group of mentors, including Stephen Woolley, Katie Holly, Mark Herbert. Evan Horan, Emma Foley, Eileen Rafferty, Ciara Appelbe, Brian Falconer and Angus Finney

The mentorships will run until July 2025, offering producers the opportunity to gain invaluable insights and expertise from leaders in the film and television industries. 

Due to the high interest in this scheme NTAFT and the WRAP Commission are also excited to announce plans for a second iteration of the scheme, which is set to launch in late 2025

The National Talent Academy for Film and TV Drama is an initiative of Screen Ireland/Fís Éireann managed by Ardán

The WRAP Commission is operated by WRAP, an initiative of Ardán and the Western Development Commission, with the support of the local authorities of Clare, Donegal, Galway City, Galway County, Sligo, Leitrim, and Roscommon, and Údarás na Gaeltachta. It aims to empower regional producers, thereby solidifying the WRAP regions as a thriving hub for the screen industry.  

For any questions, please email filmandtv@nationaltalentacademies.ie  

Congratulations to the fifteen producers: 

Anna Mannion, Trimoon Films (Sligo)
Bláithín Gallagher (Leitrim)
Brian Bowler (Kerry)
Claire Mooney, Pure Divilment Pictures (Meath)
Edwin Mullane, Wave Walker Films (Sligo)
Eloise Powell (Kilkenny)
Emily Power, Heritage (Cork)
Garry Kelly, GK Media (Galway)
James O’Brien Moran, Black Lobster Productions (Dublin)
Jemma NicLochlainn (Donegal)
Jerry Twomey, The Film Fountain (Galway)
Jo Halpin, Charmer Pictures (Dublin)
Kelly Campbell (Dublin)
Killian Coyle (Dublin)
Maggie Ryan, Escape Pod Media (Dublin)

Learning to Breath Under Water’ wraps production

LTBUW Cast

Learning To Breathe Under Water, directed by Rebekah Fortune, has completed production in Galway, Ireland, with the support of WRAP.

Featuring an impressive cast led by Rory Kinnear (The Imitation Game) and Maria Bakalova (The Apprentice), the film has already garnered significant international interest, with pre-sales to territories including Benelux (September Film), Bulgaria (Beta), Eastern Europe excluding Poland (HBO), Former Yugoslavia (Karantanija Cinemas), the Middle East (Front Row), Poland (Best Film), and airline distribution (Aardwolf). The project is co-produced by Ireland’s Wildcard (Patrick O’Neill) and the UK’s Shudder Films (Jack Tarling), whose previous collaboration on Kneecap was both a box office success and Ireland’s submission for the Oscars.

Learning to Breathe Under Water follows an eight-year-old boy (newcomer Ezra Carlisle) as he navigates life after the death of his mother while his father swings between manic creativity and debilitating anxiety. The arrival of a Bulgarian au pair, played by Bakalova, brings unexpected changes to the household.

The film represents a global collaboration, with co-production partners including KeyFilm in the Netherlands, One Wave Films in Wales, and Eiru Films in the west of Ireland. Funding came from several prestigious bodies, including Screen Ireland, the BFI Global Screen Fund, Ffilm Cymru, the Netherlands Film Fund, Bankside Films, and Three Point Capital. WRAP investment played a vital role in facilitating production in Galway city, allowing the project to showcase the region’s talent, locations, and industry infrastructure. The feature was film in and around Galway City utilising Galway Airport as a studio space where several sets were built.

This is Fortune’s second feature film, following her acclaimed 2017 debut Just Charlie, which won the Ecrans Junior Award at Cannes, the Audience Award at Edinburgh, and was nominated for two BIFAs.

Original article by Mona Tabbara and published on Screen Daily. Read it here.

See also ‘Learning to Breath Under Water’ wraps production at Eirufilms.com

WRAP Commission Professional Development Support: Access to Markets 2024

WRAP Commission to provide support for Regional professionals to attend international markets/trade events

As part of its efforts to support regional Film, TV, and Games creators across these counties the WRAP Commission offers support for producers to attend international markets & trade events such as the Marché du Film in Cannes, or GamesCom. 

Support Available 

WRAP can offer financial support towards registration/accreditation for international Marketplace such as: 

Attendance/Registration Fees: WRAP may cover or subsidise the cost of registration for Marketplace Attendance, granting access to market screenings, networking events, and industry seminars including: 

  • EFM / Berlinale, Germany
  • Cannes Film Festival, France 
  • Annecy International Animation Film Festival & Market, France 
  • Sheffield DocFest, UK 
  • Gamescom, Germany 
  • IDFA, Netherlands
  • Focus London, UK

Logistical Support: WRAP may offer logistical support to assist producers in navigating the complexities of attending markets, including: 

  • Providing information and guidance on visa requirements, travel arrangements, and accommodation. 
  • Offering advice on maximising the benefits of attending Markets, including advice on scheduling meetings, preparing pitch materials, and following up with contacts after the event. 

What is NOT Covered: WRAP cannot cover the following: 

  • Travel Expenses 
  • Accommodation 
  • Non-Registration-related costs 

Access to Markets: Assessment Criteria 

Accreditation Rules:  Please note that any application will be subject to the normal accreditation requirements of each market which may include verifying you/your company and requiring other materials such as IMDb listing, etc. 

Residency in the WRAP Region: Producers seeking support from the WRAP Fund must be resident in the WRAP region, comprising Galway, Clare, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, or Donegal.  

Track Record: Producers should have a demonstrated track record of professional experience and success in the industry, which may include previous credits on successful productions, awards or recognition, participation in industry training programs, or membership in professional organizations.  

Project Proposal: Producers must submit a project proposal outlining the project or projects they intend to promote at Market, including information such as synopsis, budget, financing plan, target audience, and distribution strategy. 

Budget and Finance Plan: Must demonstrate their ability to cover any remaining costs not covered by WRAP  

Funding Necessity: Producers must demonstrate that they are not already in receipt of funding for attending the Market you are applying for.  

Please Note:

This is a COMPETITIVE process and WRAP cannot guarantee support for Marketplace attendance.  

This is a LIMITED fund and operates on a competitive basis until exhausted annually. WRAP cannot guarantee support for every Marketplace and priority will be given to producers/companies who make the best case for supporting their attendance at a particular market based on the impact it will deliver.

In EXCEPTIONAL cases WRAP may consider specific requests for attending Genre or Format-specific International Markets. This will only be considered if the Producer/Company can make a strong case that it would be likely to have a significant impact on their capacity to create and sustain work in the region

How To Apply 

Email WRAP@ardan.ie with your details, your request for assistance, and the name of the Market you wish to attend. Please use the subject line: “Market Attendance Support”. This is a rolling call, but it is strongly advised that you get in touch 6-8 weeks prior to a marketplace closing registration if possible.  

WRAP is a joint initiative between Ardán and WDC, in association with local authorities in Clare, Donegal, Galway City, Galway County, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, and Údarás na Gaeltachta. 

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