A LOW budget short film set to be produced by an Independent film producer originally from Fermanagh and to be shot in the county has been refused funding by Fermanagh District Council.
The film will not follow on from the successes of ‘Blandings’ and ‘Miss Julie’, with the project hitting a brick wall at the funding stage.
‘Kick the bucket’, a film based on the relationship between a father and son, was rejected for funding at September’s meeting of Fermanagh District Council.
It is understood the applicant was looking for £3,000 funding.
At the meeting local councillor Bernice Swift asked who the film maker was and why the funding application had been rejected. The matter was then taken into committee, away from media attention and discussed further.
Speaking to the Herald the Director of Leisure, Development and Arts at the council Robert Gibson explained the rationale behind the refusal of funding.
“The situation was that the council was asked to support a film. The council does not have a budget for film and the group asking were neither a community organisation or not for profit so it meant the council couldn’t fund the project for that reason.”
When asked why the matter was taken into committee, Mr Gibson explained that the council had to consider questions put to them from the councillors.
Mr Gibson confirmed that the film was to be shot within the boundaries of Fermanagh, but could not give out details of the producer who applied for the funding.
He clarified that the council were not permitted to support private industries and those which are not for profit.
It is unclear whether or not the applicant has since obtained funding or whether the film will be shot in Fermanagh or indeed at all.
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