New website to highlight Westmeath as filming location
Westmeath County Council’s Arts Office has launched a new website designed to showcase the county as a filming location.
The Arts Office said FilmingWestmeath.ie was created to highlight “the abundance of Westmeath’s landscapes, architecture, and urban infrastructure,” and that it aimed to “promote filmmaking activity in Westmeath and help productions to find a location ideal for their shoot”.
The site shows a number of locations in the county which may be suitable for filmmaking projects, listing them under headings such as ‘Architecture’, ‘Boglands’, ‘Bridges’, ‘Canals’, ‘Castles’, ‘Cemeteries’, ‘Lakes’, ‘Period Houses’ and ‘Pubs’, among others.
The county’s Arts Office has also launched the 2025 Westmeath Film Award. This €10,000 prize is aimed at emerging filmmakers who are looking to produce a short 10-15 minute fiction or documentary film.
Westmeath Arts Office said it was seeking “innovative, entertaining stories by talented filmmakers who, if selected, must shoot their project in County Westmeath”.
The county council will offer location support and guidance to the award recipient, especially in relation to accessing locations and local resources. The award is open to filmmakers habitually residing in Ireland.
Those interested in applying for the Westmeath Film Award have until June 18 to do so. Applicants are invited to submit the following: a script, a logline and synopsis of the project (including general plot outline), an outline of the production plan, and financial or budget details.
Applicants may also choose to include further materials, at their own discretion, including treatments, director’s notes or producer’s notes. Applications can be submitted via the online submission form on the filmingwestmeath.ie website.
Acting arts officer Laura McCormack said: “This is an opportune moment for filmmaking in the county, and we are hopeful that this award will empower local filmmakers to advance in their craft and career.
“Westmeath as a location also boasts rich landscapes, we are excited see the county showcased through filmingwestmeath.ie,” Ms McCormack added.