We are delighted to announce that applications for the 2025 Puttnam Script Award open on Sunday December 1st. The best script/screenplay, chosen by a panel of expert judges will receive a prize of €25,000 to go towards the production of one live-action drama short film. The film must be made on the Cork Wild Atlantic Way and have a duration of no more than 10 minutes. The subject/theme this year is: "Safe Harbour"
Four finalists will be selected by a panel of industry judges to take part in a public pitching event at FFF 2025 (21st – 25th May), the winner of the 2025 Puttnam Script Award will be announced at the Festival Awards Ceremony on Sunday 25th May 2025 and the award-winning film will have its premiere screening at FFF in May 2026.
The Puttnam Script Award is director driven with entry open to directors who have made at least one short film that has had a festival screening.
Scripts should be original. Where the director is not the writer, the director must show proof of an agreement to purchase all relevant rights from the author that can be executed in the event that the project is selected for support.
While submissions will be reviewed and assessed in the first instance on creative criteria, the account will also be taken of a filmmaker’s awareness of production and their ability to deliver a completed film on schedule and within budget.
This Award is a great opportunity for writers/directors to display original storytelling and to show strong production values suitable for the big screen. The application deadline to submit entries is 12 midnight on Saturday, 1st March 2025, and submissions will be accepted via our online application form.
Please submit via our online Application Form and attach your SINGLE .pdf document containing your Script, Director’s Notes, and Production Notes. Once received and processed you will receive a confirmation email from puttnamaward@gmail.com.
Fastnet Film Festival retains the right to screen the premiere of the successful applicant’s completed film at FFF 2026.
FFF will also retain non-exclusive rights in the film in all media in Ireland and non-exclusive promotional rights for the rest of the world. All other distribution rights will remain with the filmmaker.
It will be the responsibility of the filmmaker to ensure compliance with relevant health and safety legislation, particularly with all Dept. of Health/NPHET guidelines relating to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
The successful applicant will be required to ensure that all appropriate insurances are in place to cover all filming activity and to ensure that Fastnet Film Festival is expressly named and indemnified on all policies.
Please refer to our eligibility criteria on the main page.
There are two main criteria for assessing the quality of a project proposal.
1. Creative and artistic: The script, visual style and how the ‘Safe Habour’ theme is addressed.
2. Production: Account will also be taken of an applicant’s familiarity with key aspects of the production process, together with how they will approach making a short film on County Cork’s Wild Atlantic Way.
No, we regret that additional information cannot be submitted after the Application Deadline.
FFF regrets that we will be unable to supply filmmakers with feedback or evaluation on their entries.
The screenplay should relate, whether directly or indirectly, to our FFF 2025 selected subject/theme of "Safe Harbour". It will be at the discretion of the judges to determine if a screenplay satisfies this requirement.
No. It is a condition of the Award that the film should be made on the Cork Wild Atlantic Way. The Cork Wild Atlantic Way covers the coastline route between Kinsale to the Kerry Border.
You can enter multiple proposals, however only one entry can potentially be shortlisted if shortlisted as a finalist. You should use a separate application for each submission.
Yes
It is not a requirement for directors to have a producer attached at the application stage, although having a producer involved may strengthen your submission. You should certainly include a note setting out how you propose to approach key production issues – budget, crewing, talent, location/s, etc. If your submission is selected as one of the finalists for the pitching event at FFF 2025, we’d strongly recommend that you have a producer as part of your team.
Yes, your film can be any duration provided it does not exceed 10 minutes (including titles/credits).
No, this is a director driven competition.
No. Only scripts for live action drama will be accepted.
The outline is a description of what happens in the story and who the main characters are. Just enough to give a sense of what your script contains is all that is required.
Yes, applications from outside Ireland are accepted once they adhere to all the conditions and criteria outlined.
The completed work is owned by the director and the underlying rights to the material are owned by the writer. However, FFF has exclusive screening rights to screen the premier which will be at FFF 2026.
You will be notified by email that your application has been received. The four projects to make the final pitch will be notified in due course.
No. Unfortunately the Fastnet Film Festival will not be able to cover or reimburse any costs associated with attending the Pitch Event or the Festival in May 2025. Filmmakers do so at their own discretion.
You may nominate another person, a member of your team, to represent you and participate on your behalf at the pitching event.
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