New Film Mayo website and €15,000 bursary launched to support Mayo’s screen industry
The new initiative aims to back local filmmakers, attract productions and strengthen Mayo’s reputation as a leading filming destination
A major boost for Mayo’s growing film industry as the new Film Mayo website and a €15,000 Mayo County Council Film Bursary Award designed to support local filmmaking talent were launched yesterday (Monday, June 22).
The initiative was officially launched at the Westport Town Hall Theatre by Minister Alan Dillon, who said the county is now focused on creating new opportunities for filmmakers while building on its long-established reputation as one of Ireland’s most recognisable screen locations.
Mayo has featured prominently in film and television productions over the years, from the classic The Quiet Man to the internationally acclaimed The Banshees of Inisherin.
Minister Dillon said the county has all the ingredients necessary to become an even stronger force within Ireland’s screen sector.
“Today I launched the new Film Mayo website and Mayo County Council Film Bursary, focusing on the future — backing local filmmakers, attracting new productions and creating opportunities right across the county,” he said.
“We have the talent, the landscapes and the ambition. Now we’re creating more opportunities for people to make films, build careers and tell stories from right here in the west.”
The launch of Film Mayo marks a significant step in Mayo County Council’s efforts to promote the county as a location for national and international productions while also supporting the development of local creative talent.
Central to the initiative is the Mayo County Council Film Bursary Award, a once-off funding award of €15,000 that will be offered to a Mayo-based filmmaker or filmmaking team to commission an original film project.
The bursary, which will be managed by Mayo County Council Arts Service, reflects the local authority’s commitment to strengthening Mayo’s screen culture and supporting emerging and established filmmakers across the county.
Only one award will be made under the scheme, making it a significant opportunity for local creatives looking to develop an original production.
The new Film Mayo platform is expected to serve as a hub for filmmakers, production companies and industry professionals seeking information on filming locations, supports and opportunities available throughout the county.
For Mayo, the launch signals a renewed commitment to ensuring that the county’s dramatic landscapes, creative talent and rich storytelling tradition continue to play a role on screens both at home and abroad.