Project overview

The National Talent Academies (NTA) is an initiative by Screen Ireland, managed by Ardán, to support and champion Irish creative talent from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. Their work encompasses all levels and develops greater awareness of the sector as a career path.

Tilting the Lens partnered with NTA with a clear aim: to shift the narrative, ensure authentic representation, create a robust pipeline of talent, and celebrate stories told by disabled people on their own terms. Together, we launched a script-mentoring programme called “Screen Stories: Getting Disabled Writers in the Room”, a programme aimed at transforming both representation and narrative within the film and television industries.

In 2024, a pilot programme was created to support five disabled writers through a financed programme. With access to industry leaders as mentors, skills-building workshops, and professional development opportunities, participants honed their craft in a space where access requirements were respected and creativity could lead. 

The challenge

The overarching aim of the National Talent Academies is to address and support current educational skills gaps in the screen sector. Retaining the diversity and inclusion focus that is present across all Academy initiatives, its ambition is to drive more Irish talent from all backgrounds and disciplines into the sector and develop greater awareness of the sector as a viable career path.

At Tilting the Lens, we believe in storytelling that reflects the full diversity of our communities, and in creating meaningful opportunities for employment and career progression for disabled people. 

The goal is not only to bring disabled writers in the room, but to break down the barriers that have historically kept them out. We aim to ensure they are leading the conversation, shaping the stories and driving authentic representation both on and off screen.

The approach

Our partnership with NTA meant that we could support this programme in many ways. 

Accessible by default

Tilting the Lens ensured all documents, programme materials, and applications were accessible from the outset. There were multiple options for applying, as well as support offered by the team. It was vital that everyone was set up for success and that all sessions met the access needs of all participants.

Financial support

Each writer received a €2,000 bursary to support their progress in the programme. Tilting the Lens contributed €500 per participant, a total of €2,500 to this fund. 

Promotion and communication

We utilised our own channels for promotion and communication to reach potential participants. We supported the creation of marketing materials, press materials, and other external communications. 

Workshops and training

We collaborated with NTA in coordinating and facilitating workshops and talks with various individuals and experts within our network. These were not only established industry professionals, but also disabled creatives who have navigated similar barriers, ensuring their relevance to the participants’ goals and aligned with the programme’s commitment to authentic, experience-led conversations.

Participants engaged in a series of workshops and talks, including:

  • A deep dive into disabled representation on TV with Sam Tatlow, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at ITV.
  • Script workshops with script consultant and producer Philip Shelley.
  • Feedback sessions with script editor Nadine Flynn.
  • Masterclasses with Oscar-winning filmmakers Tom Berkeley and Ross White, and TV writer Peter McKenna.
  • Industry insights from professionals such as talent manager and founder of 1IN4 Eryn Brown, and writer, actor and producer Kyla Harris.
  • Advice and guidance from script and development executive Hayley McKenzie, on the range of roles within scripted development and next steps to a screenwriting career.
  • The programme culminated in a table read — bringing their stories to life with professional actors.

Mentoring

Each participant benefited from bespoke mentorship tailored to their personal development goals. The mentors in the 2024 programme were:

  • Award-winning writer, director and producer from Dublin, Rioghnach Ní Ghrioghair.
  • Theatre director and dramaturge Lu Kemp.
  • Actor, screenwriter, documentary filmmaker and playwright John Connors. 
  • Screenwriter, television writer and playwright Michael Zam.
  • Producer Shauna Shivers.

“Screen Stories was a fantastic learning opportunity in an incredibly supportive environment, with a series of excellent speakers and a superb mentor. We were actively encouraged to contribute to the design and delivery of the programme, which was carefully tailored to meet the individual needs of each participant. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Screen Stories to anyone who is thinking about applying in the future.”

Maura Campbell, 2024 Screen Stories participant

Outcome and impact

Participant success stories 

  • Louise Bruton applied to NTA’s Short Film Fund with her script “Let Go”, which was developed as part of 2024’s Screen Stories programme. It was awarded funding, and will go into production in 2025. 
  • Maura Campbell’s script “The Grim” which was developed as part of 2024’s Screen Stories, was selected in the 2025 UK Comedy Initiative. Her script made it to the quarter finals.

2025 and feature film scripts

The programme received positive feedback from participants in this first iteration and that allowed us to return for a second year. Three new writers were selected to undertake a six-month, feature film script development programme in 2025. 

Together with the National Talent Academies, we are committed to continuing this work of dismantling barriers, investing in talent, and amplifying disabled creatives to tell the stories only they can.

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