The Context
TG4 is a public service television channel which broadcasts in Irish and is available free-to-air across the island. TG4 has nurtured a reputation for innovative programming in film, arts, drama, documentaries, and sports.
Docs Ireland is the first industry focussed, all-Ireland international documentary festival. The dynamic event launched in 2019, and is run by the team behind Belfast Film Festival
TG4 was looking for a relevant promotional platform to help showcase its music documentary output, whilst also allowing them to host a special music document event. Fortuitously, they found the perfect partnership with the team at Docs Ireland...
The Solution
Following the success of the first Docs Ireland in 2019, TG4 committed to partnering with Docs Ireland again for their next festoval. Supported with funding from Arts & Business NI, TG4 will once more be the title sponsor of the arts/music section of the programme, providing a platform to showcase their own documentary output and host a bespoke music event. There will be networking opportunities and documentary presentations will be enlivened with live music.
TG4 will additionally bring their expertise to the Doc Market: a hub for funding, sales and distribution of documentaries in Ireland, and globally, acting as an incubator for nurturing domestic talent. Filmmakers will have opportunities to meet with top decision-makers including international funders, broadcasters, distributors and exhibitors on a one to one basis.
TG4 will also be integral to the scheduled industry events, participating in panels, discussions and workshops as well as the New Talent Day for young and emerging talent.
The partners’ shared priority is nurturing new talent; they plan to launch ‘IGNITE’ a new professional development programme for documentary filmmakers embarking on their first or second non-fiction feature film. They will also collaborate with Cork Film Festival, strengthening cross-border partnership and fostering a new generation of Irish documentary filmmakers from north and south. The event will support and highlight the wealth of creative talent across the island of Ireland and will help develop economic drivers in documentary production and distribution, encouraging new talent and growing audiences.
The partnership with Docs Ireland enables TG4 to help realise its vision to promote Irish language and culture, ensuring a central place for TG4 in Irish people’s lives, whilst supporting the creation of world-class content in Ireland and associated economic growth. Docs Ireland also support TG4 to extend the audience reach of its bi-lingual output (Irish & English) and showcases TG4’s arts and music output through the Docs Ireland extensive programme of films, talks and music events.
“TG4 are once again delighted to partner with Docs Ireland in showcasing the importance of storytelling through documentary. Following the first ever Docs Ireland Festival in 2019, whilst life has changed since, we look forward to the stellar programme of events which will take place during Docs Ireland 2020.”
Padraic Ó Raighne. Marketing Manager, TG4
“The partnership with TG4 has been incredibly important for Docs Ireland. They have been supportive in the establishment of the event across Ireland (north and south) and have been constantly pro-active in the development of Docs Ireland and the range of documentary initiatives connected with it. We look forward to growing and developing the festival hand in hand with them.”
Michele Devlin, Festival Director, Belfast Film Festival (Docs Ireland)
