The Close-Up Summer Residency is open to emerging creatives from diverse backgrounds who have intermediate-level media experience and an original short film idea they want to bring to life. Applicants should have a clear vision of what they hope to gain from the Residency, be over 18 years old and be willing to travel to Wicklow and attend the full week-long residency. Ethnically diverse applicants and applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. 

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The Wideshot Programme features:

• Launch & Open Day: An introduction for participants, partners, and mentors to the programme's goals.
• Community Workshops: Five workshops across Ireland providing hands-on training in storytelling and media production.
• The Close Up Residency A selective, immersive filmmaking experience for 10 participants, offering mentorship, studio tours, and project development opportunities.
• Programme Showcase: A final event at the GORM Gathering to celebrate participants’ work and award the winning project​.

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The funding must be reported to GORM at key stages throughout the development. While recipients have flexibility in how the funding is used, we require reporting, receipts and clear visibility on expenditure, as we are accountable to our funders and reporting processes. 

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The Summer Residency is curated by Anne Roper, with further mentor announcements coming in June. Last year’s mentors included Anne Roper, Naima Mohamud, Ray Roantree, Jite Birhire, Yoshua Petit-Frere and Birthe Tonseth.

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You will develop both practical filmmaking and professional creative skills throughout the Residency while learning how to take a short film idea from concept to development. Technical learning includes storytelling, lighting, camera and sound, self-shooting tools, directing drama, producing and sound production. Alongside this, participants build valuable soft skills such as pitching, cross-cultural collaboration, adaptability, time management, networking, relationship building, constructive feedback mechanisms and creative thinking. 

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Applications can be submitted through the application form linked in our bio or on our website.

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The prize funding can be spent at the winner’s discretion, though we do provide a few recommended guidelines to help support the sustainability and impact of the project. For example, we strongly encourage recipients to allocate a portion of the funding towards paying themselves for their time and labour. The winner will also receive a sample budget template for guidance. 

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Not yet, as the programme currently focuses on participants aged 18-30. However, we’re excited to share that plans are underway to include teenage groups (ages 15-17) in 2026. Stay connected with us for updates on this expansion!

The programme is primarily focused on development, though there are practical elements throughout the week, including hands-on masterclasses as the Residency progresses.

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The Close-Up Summer Residency is a week-long development programme for emerging filmmakers. It supports participants in developing a short film idea through mentorship, masterclasses, peer collaboration and project development workshops, culminating in a final pitch presentation with the opportunity to win production funding. 

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he programme not only empowers participants by equipping them with vital skills in digital storytelling and creative media, but it also creates pathways into the industry through internships and collaborations with media partners. This approach enhances diversity and representation within creative fields, directly putting into practice Coimisúin na Mean (Ireland's Media Regulator) GEDI (Global Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) strategy. By nurturing diverse talent and fostering inclusion, the programme drives meaningful change in the media landscape, ensuring a broader range of voices and perspectives are represented.

The programme is supported by community and funding partners, making it accessible to participants. Each place on the programme is valued at €500.

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