WRAP is focused on developing a sustainable and successful Film, Television, Animation, & Games sector in the West of Ireland. 

WRAP operates a Commercial Fund that invests in Companies and Productions across the WRAP region. 

The WRAP Commission empowers regional producers, attracts incoming productions, and fosters seamless collaboration with local authorities.

WRAP covers counties Clare, Donegal, Galway (City & County), Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, and Sligo.

WRAP’s central goals are to develop a successful and sustainable Regional Audiovisual sector by:

•         Encouraging Production in the region by investing up to €200,000
•         Investing up to €200,000 in Companies to increase capacity
•         Sustaining Regional Activity to support the development of Talent

·         Generating a return on investment to replenish its resources and to ensure WRAP’s sustainability.

•         Productions shooting in the WRAP Region that can demonstrate a potential for return on investment
•         Companies based in the WRAP Region, including Film & TV Producers,  Production and Post Production companies, Game Developers, Animation Studios, and more.

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 Udaras na Gaeltachta.

Investment funding of up to €200,000 is available to a feature film, television drama series, animation, or game that undertakes a significant portion of its production (including post-production) in the WRAP region. 

Projects must demonstrate a strong prospect of generating a financial return on investment, as well as a clear training and skills plan, and deliver a local spend ratio of at least 3:1. Investments are approved on a competitive basis.

Investment funding of up to €200,000 is available to companies working across Film, TV, Animation, and Games in the WRAP region to scale and grow the business with a variety of repayment options. 

The key eligibility criteria include repayment capacity, proven track record, relevant skills, a clear long-term vision expressed in a comprehensive business plan.

WRAP can invest in the following:

• Feature film

• Television drama series

• Animation (Feature or Series)

• or Video game 

As long as it satisfies the following requirements:

1. Undertakes a significant portion of its production (and/or post-production) in the WRAP region
2. Demonstrates a strong prospect of generating a financial return on investment
3. Has well a clear training and skills plan
4. and delivers a local spend ratio of at least 3:1

Unfortunately not. WRAP will only consider Productions and Companies at this time. However, while WRAP is not currently accepting applications for single project development funding, the Company Investment fund may be attractive for regional companies. Please see below for more details

No, we can’t fund short films unfortunately.. As a commercial fund WRAP needs to see a return on its investment and the market for short film is sadly untenable in this respect.

We can fund feature-length documentaries or series that are intended for a theatrical and/or multi platform release but are unable to support filmed productions such as a theatre show, sporting or musical event, art installation. We will apply the same assessment criteria to documentaries that we use for all other projects including the commercial potential, the likely multiple of local economic benefit relative to our investment and the cultural benefits of the project for the region.

We cannot offer completion funding.

No. We will typically invest no more than 20% of your production budget, up to a maximum of €200,000 per project.

Yes. WRAP is not a “first-in” fund. You will need to demonstrate that you have a significant amount of the funding for your project in place at the time of application – in the range of 60% or more. This can include the S481 Tax Credit (although you may be asked to indicate how you intend to cash flow this if applicable). A viable finance plan demonstrating where the balance of funding is being sought will be important in WRAP’s assessment.

The Fund is also not a “last in” fund either, however projects that can demonstrate a timely path to commencing production will be favoured. Our offer letters typically remain valid for up to 3 months to allow you the time to secure any outstanding funding for your project.

Yes. A fundamental aim of WRAP is to generate a full return on its investments in order to replenish its resources for future investment and contribute to the fund’s sustainability. In line with the policy of the Western Development Commission (WDC) which provides WRAP’s capital funding and awards investment under the Market Economy Investor Principle, an applicant must demonstrate that WRAP will make a full return on its investment consummate with the risk taken, through the proposed recoupment waterfall and net profit participation. Applications which do not demonstrate this are unlikely to be successful. Our investment is typically in the form of a recoupable loan. WRAP may seek an enhanced recoupment position and require an entitlement to a pro rata share of net profits alongside the other equity investors.

Yes. We are looking to invest in projects that can demonstrate a clear route to market through the attachment of appropriate sales, distribution and broadcast partners. We would expect to see evidence that the market is responding positively to your project by way of suitable Letters of Intent, sales estimates, revenue projections, analysis of comparable projects etc, and that your commercial strategy has been prepared with input from your proposed partners.

You first need to contact the WRAP team to discuss your project. WRAP will advise you if it is suitable and if at any point they think it is not they will advise you as soon as possible to avoid you spending time on an application. Before making an application it is important that you have- the following:

– Finance Plan (with Letters of Commitment from confirmed funding sources)

– Recoupment Schedule

– Revenue / Profitability Projections (indicting the WRAP Return – see note on recoupment below)

– Sales Estimates including high and low figures, Sales Agent Agreement, Distribution and other financiers agreement.

No. We can only accept applications made by a corporate undertaking such as a limited company or limited liability partnership. The application should be completed by the Irish producer on the project. Your company (and its principals) will need to demonstrate a strong track record of success in audiovisual production.

No. The fund is open to both SME’s and larger enterprises.

Companies established and operating within the WRAP region will have an advantage. The applicant company (Production Company or Designated Activity Company) must be registered with an address in the WRAP region at the time of application. It may be a contractual requirement of our funding that you maintain a substantive (i.e. staffed) production base in the WRAP region for at least the duration of pre production and principal photography of your project.

There are no limitations on the levels of any private investment but there may be limits on the amount of cumulative public investment (ie: from the Fund and other public sources such as Screen Ireland, BAI, S481 Tax Credit etc.) that your particular production can receive in order for you to be compliant with the relevant EU State aid regulation. This is a complex area and we are happy to give guidance once we’ve reviewed your application.

Unlike other public funding bodies, WRAP receives no upfront contribution towards the costs of operating and managing the fund. We therefore require successful applicants to cover any WRAP reasonable external legal costs. These may vary according to the complexity of each financial closing but WRAP will always endeavour to keep our legal costs (if any) to an absolute minimum.

You will need to commit to a significant proportion of your production being filmed/produced in the WRAP region in order to qualify for our funding. We say “significant proportion” rather than “all” because we accept the fact that productions may need to access locations and facilities in other territories in the case of a co-production. WRAP is required to ensure that there is a balance of production activity across the seven counties of the WRAP region and this may have an impact on decisions. There is no requirement for your project to be about the West of Ireland but your application could be strengthened if your project is clearly set in the West of Ireland and increases the cultural visibility of the region.

Yes, we have a minimum 03:01 spend ratio. While we expect supported productions to deliver a healthy multiple of local spend. This allows us to assess the broader economic and cultural benefits that a particular production might bring to the region as well as its potential to generate a financial return. For guidelines on eligible WRAP expenditure, see the Production Funding Guidelines downloadable from our website.

An important factor within our assessment will be the potential opportunities created for local talent in above-the-line and below-the-line grades as well as the use of local goods/service supplies (e.g. equipment hire, production facilities, locations, studios, post-production, travel, transport, hotels, catering, music, professional services etc.). WRAP defines local talent as anyone permanently based within the WRAP region or anyone who was born, raised and still has a significant connection to the Region.

No, unless otherwise stated on our website. This is a rolling fund so applications can be made at any time. However, an early conversation with the WRAP Development Manager Sarah Dillon is recommended who can advise you on the best time to apply. Once an application has been officially received, decisions can generally take up to 10 weeks but may take longer depending on the volume of applications, time of the year or other circumstances.

As part of your application, you will need to provide written evidence that can secure the necessary rights to your project.

Yes. We will usually expect there to be a completion bond or other suitable takeover arrangements in place for your project in order to ensure its completion and delivery.

Yes. WRAP requires that any project undertaking production within the region employ a green filmmaking policy. WRAP is happy to advise further on this.

WRAP’s company investment process involves several steps. First, eligible production companies based in the WRAP region should contact wrap on wrap@ardan.ie and discuss the project with a member of staff. Assuming the project is a good fit for WRAP they will be asked to prepare an application (in the form of a business plan) demonstrating their project’s viability, economic impact, and alignment with WRAP’s objectives. It will also need detailed 5-year projections and demonstrate how WRAP’s investment will be returned. Once submitted, applications are reviewed and assessed based on various criteria, including financial viability, local spend, and potential for cultural and economic benefits to the region. Again, the ability for WRAP to recoup its investment is key.

WRAP Fund evaluates company investment applications based on factors like the project’s financial structure, commercial potential, and the proportion of local economic benefit it generates. Additionally, the project’s alignment with WRAP’s sustainability goals and the engagement of local talent and services play a crucial role in the evaluation. Ability to repay investment is again key.

To secure a company investment from WRAP Fund, eligible production companies should first contact WRAP to discuss your project. If suitable you will then be advised to  submit a comprehensive application, demonstrating their project’s potential and financial plan. WRAP Fund will review the application and may request additional information. If the application meets the criteria, an offer letter will be issued, specifying the investment terms. Upon acceptance, WRAP Fund will work with the production company to finalize the investment details and provide the necessary funding.

Yes, WRAP Fund’s company investment is typically in the form of a recoupable loan. WRAP Fund aims to generate a full return on its investments to replenish its resources for future investment and contribute to the fund’s sustainability. The investment terms, including recoupment arrangements and net profit participation, will be outlined in the offer letter.

The company investment process timeline with WRAP Fund can vary based on factors such as the volume of applications and the time of the year. Generally, decisions may take up to 10 weeks from the time of application. WRAP Fund’s offer letters typically remain valid for up to 3 months to allow companies to secure any outstanding funding for their projects.