€3,500 – €4,500 Bursary value — raised through Film Club box office income & Concern Worldwide grants
Disappear Here Film Club in Inishowen, Co Donegal, has launched its third annual Donegal Short Documentary Film Bursary, offering €3,500 to support a local filmmaker in creating a short documentary to be produced in Donegal in 2026.
The initiative is delivered through a partnership between ChangeMakers Donegal at the Inishowen Development Partnership, Disappear Here Film Festival — based in the seaside village of Ballyliffin, Co Donegal — and global humanitarian organisation Concern Worldwide. This year’s bursary fund has grown thanks to box office income from the Film Club, increased funding by Concern Worldwide’s Global Citizenship Education Grants Fund and a new mentoring partnership funded by Donegal County Council.
Filmmakers are invited to pitch documentary ideas that explore themes of global justice, linking local Donegal experiences with wider international issues. The successful applicant will receive not only financial backing but also professional mentoring (by two film professionals) to bring their project to life. The bursary reflects the shared mission of ChangeMakers Donegal and Concern Worldwide to cultivate global citizenship, empathy and community awareness through the arts. Last year’s recipient, Daragh Goan, produced The Kildoney Men, which premiered at the Disappear Here Film Festival in October 2025.
“Donegal is full of unique characters and powerful stories, many of which resonate far beyond the county itself. In these turbulent global times, it feels more important than ever that these stories are captured and shared through documentary film.”
Michael McLaughlin, Disappear Here Film Festival & Film Club Producer
Artist–Mentor Programme
This year’s call-out also introduces an expanded Artist–Mentor Programme specifically designed to support Black, Minority Ethnic and Global Majority artists living in Donegal. The mentoring element has been made possible through funding from Creative Ireland and Donegal County Council, long-standing supporters of the bursary.
The successful Bursary winner will be paired with an emerging or new filmmaker from the Black, Minority Ethnic and Global Majority community in Donegal and will be offered an additional €1,000 towards the development of their film for engaging in this mentoring relationship while making the new documentary.
The finished documentary will be showcased at the Disappear Here Film Festival later in the year, giving the filmmaker a live audience premiere in the county.
Deadline
The deadline has now been extended to Friday 10 April 2026 at 3PM.
For more information or to request an information pack, email: disappearherefilmfest@gmail.com