The Creative Heartlands Adaptation Film Bursary is an annual award by Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon local authorities under the Creative Ireland Programme with the support of the National Talent Academies. 

Open to established & emerging filmmakers & production companies, living/working in the region. Designed to support collaboration among filmmaking teams in the development of an original Adaptation Film project.

The ambition of the initiative is to produce a short film that is complementary to an original work by a regional artist (rather than a literal translation). The raw material or original work must be that of a living artist (or artists) from any arts discipline from either Sligo, Leitrim or Roscommon such as a piece of visual art, theatre, music, poetry, or literary fragment etc. 

This opportunity is for filmmakers to express, in film, the essence of the original work.  Films are to be delivered by 8th Sept 2025 for presentation at Adaptation Film Weekend, Manorhamilton (18th – 21st Sept 2025) & Roscommon International Film Festival, Roscommon Arts Centre (10th - 12th Oct).  

1 film will be commissioned from a filmmaking team based in each of the counties of Creative Heartlands project – Sligo, Leitrim & Roscommon. The address of the lead applicant will determine the county of origin of the application.

Successful recipients can avail of the Creative Heartlands Editing and Shooting Equipment & Mentoring support.

Deadline for applications is Midnight, Sun, 11th May, 2025

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.