Film Ireland, in partnership with Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and supported by Coimisiún na Meán, is delighted to announce the latest edition of our Film Journalism Mentorship Programme.
Designed to empower writers from a wide variety of backgrounds, this intensive programme will help participants refine their film criticism and analysis skills, deepen their understanding of the film industry, and build a professional network. Led by the core Film Ireland team alongside industry experts, the programme combines practical training, personalised mentorship, and real publishing opportunities.
We will be hosting an information session at 18:30 on 21st July, and would encourage all applicants considering the course to attend.
Programme Details
Duration: Tuesday 15th September – December 2026
Format: Tuesday evenings on Zoom (2-hour sessions), with up to 4 additional hours of independent work each week. If you are not able to commit to this work load at this time, we recommend you consider applying at a future date.
Application Deadline: 5pm, 7th August 2026
Interviews: Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed via Zoom during the week following the application deadline.
Important Eligibility Information
Please note: Applicants cannot be in full-time education for the duration of the programme.
The programme is designed for emerging writers who are available to fully commit to the weekly sessions, writing assignments, and industry opportunities throughout the course.
The majority of the programme is delivered online. However, successful applicants must be available to attend two key in-person events during the programme. Exact dates will be confirmed upon acceptance.
If you are based outside Dublin, Film Ireland will reimburse reasonable public transport costs for these required in-person events.
This Programme Includes
Tailored Mentorship
Each participant receives personalised mentorship sessions, editorial guidance, and detailed feedback on their writing throughout the programme.
Published Portfolio
Participants will produce:
- Two published film reviews
- One longer form project (feature article, podcast interview, series of social posts)
All completed work will be published on Film Ireland, with contributors paid €50–€100 per published piece, so €200 over the course of the programme.
Comprehensive Training
Industry professionals will deliver sessions covering topics including:
- Film criticism and analysis
- Editorial skills
- Podcasting and interviewing
- Industry structures and organisations
- Professional development for arts journalists
Throughout the programme, participants will also be supported in attending press screenings, previews, industry talks, and networking events, providing valuable insight into the Irish film sector.
The programme also places an emphasis on wellbeing, resilience, and confidence-building, helping participants develop sustainable careers as writers.
Feedback and collaboration is the backbone of the programme, and we are looking for applicants who are both open to feedback and are comfortable contributing as part of a team.
Who Should Apply?
We welcome applications from emerging writers of all backgrounds.
We are particularly interested in hearing from applicants whose voices are currently underrepresented within journalism and the wider screen industries, including (but not limited to) people from underrepresented ethnic communities, disabled writers, members of the LGBTQ+ community, those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and others whose perspectives are not widely represented.
Above all, we're looking for applicants with a distinctive voice, genuine curiosity about cinema, and a commitment to developing as film journalists.
Please remember: you must not be in full-time education during the programme in order to be eligible.
If you have any questions, email info@filmireland.ie.
Why Apply?
By the end of the programme, participants will have:
- A published portfolio of professional film writing
- The chance to work on interviewing skills and the opportunity to contribute to live radio via our partners at Phoenix FM
- Enhanced critical and industry knowledge
- Experience working with editors and mentors
- New professional contacts across the Irish film sector
- Greater confidence in their voice as a film journalist
Please note, places are extremely limited. Last year, we received over 100 applications for 8 places so we encourage interested writers/journalists to apply early.
How to Apply
Deadline: 5pm, 7th August 2026
Please read the course details carefully before applying. The application form must be completed in full and submitted before the deadline.
Please note: As part of your application, you will be asked to upload:
- Writing sample(s): Maximum 1,000 words in total (up to 5 files). Preferred format: PDF.
- CV: Preferred format: PDF.
Previous Programme
Our previous mentorship programmes saw writers from a wide variety of backgrounds develop their skills and publish reviews, interviews, podcasts, and feature articles on Film Ireland, and in collaboration of a few of our key partners.
Their work included interviews with filmmakers, festival coverage, critical essays, podcasts, and in-depth analysis, with many participants going on to continue writing professionally.
We're excited to welcome the next group of emerging film journalists and help them develop their own distinctive voices.
A Sample of Past Projects:
In this podcast, Conor Bryce interviews the director and writer behind RTE series The Unreal.
Oscar O'Sullivan pens a profile article for the People's Picturehouse in Cork.
Read Sarah Shojaei's powerful personal essay Nothing Compares - A Duty of Care.
Mick Jordan sits down with filmmaker Paul Duane to chat about his latest work and extensive career.
