Ireland's film body seeks test-screening service to recruit cinema audiences to 'road-test' new movies 

Screen Ireland has funded numerous award-winning films such as 'The Young Offenders'.

Screen Ireland is set to spend €200,000 for test-screening services to give filmmakers “the best opportunity” to “adjust their films as necessary”.

The body, which has funded numerous award-winning films such as The Young Offenders and An Cailín Ciúin, said engagement with audiences was a “vital part” of the filmmaking process and test screening could help identify a film’s strengths and weaknesses before it is finished.

A much-relied on part of the process of releasing a film by Hollywood studios, Screen Ireland set out detailed requirements for its test-screening services in an invitation to tender this week.

“Identifying and speaking to particular audiences is something which film-makers are encouraged to consider from the earliest part of development right through to the final stages of post-production,” it said.

“As part of this vital engagement, Screen Ireland conducts test screenings of films in receipt of its funding. 

These screenings form an important part of road-testing a film and identifying strengths and weaknesses in front of an impartial invited public audience before a film is completed, giving filmmakers the best opportunity to respond and adjust their films as necessary.

The successful supplier will be expected to collaborate with Screen Ireland in recruiting audiences to come view the films.

It said the audiences had to be based on the genre of film as well as the gender, age and diversity requirements of the project. The contractors are also expected to send reminders to the audience members in advance to ensure a full house on the screening day.

They must also book a cinema and ensure the film is properly projected onto the screen, as well as finalising the questionnaires that will be given to the test audiences. 

“Provide [a] full report, complete with qualitative and quantitative information to Screen Ireland within two-to-three days,” Screen Ireland said. 

“Report must encompass full audience responses in a clear and digestible manner which can be distributed to film-making team.” 

Last October, Screen Ireland welcomed a 3.3% increase in its funding announced by the Government in the budget, bringing its funding levels above €40m.

It also hailed then-arts minister Catherine Martin for having a "transformational impact" on the industry in Ireland.