Frame by Frame
Stop-Motion Film Lab
A fully mentored, studio-embedded professional development
and training programme for emerging creatives in stop-motion animation.
Key Information
Run by: Stiúideo Fia, Lettermore, Connemara
Programme Dates: May – August 2026
Format: Hybrid - online & in-studio
Paid Training: €550 per week bursary
About the Programme
Frame by Frame is a fully mentored professional development programme supporting emerging creatives to develop industry-ready skills in stop-motion animation.
Delivered both online and at Stiúideo Fia’s working stop-motion animation studio in Lettermore, the programme immerses participants in a real production environment where learning happens through hands-on filmmaking.
Participants collaborate to develop and produce an original Irish-language stop-motion short film, gaining experience across the full production process.
Why Frame by Frame?
Inside a Working Studio
Train in a live stop-motion production environment.
Learn by Making
Develop skills through real filmmaking rather than classroom exercises.
Industry Mentorship
Work alongside experienced animation practitioners.
Create a Film
Collaborate on a finished Irish-language stop-motion short.
Programme Structure
Phase 1
Online Development (May)
6 online sessions (3 hours each) covering:
-
Story development and narrative structure
-
Visual storytelling for stop-motion
-
Storyboard design
-
Animatic creation
-
Production planning and shot breakdown
Outcome: A complete, approved storyboard and animatic.
Phase 2
In Studio Film Lab (June-July)
8 weeks at Stiúideo Fia covering:
-
puppet and asset creation (digital sculpt, armatures, fabrication)
-
set build and production design
-
stop-motion animation performance
-
lighting, camera, and shot execution
-
sound and post-production preparation
Outcome: One completed Irish-language stop-motion short film.
Programme Structure
Phase 1
Online Development (May)
6 online sessions (3 hours each) covering:
-
Story development and narrative structure
-
Visual storytelling for stop-motion
-
Storyboard design
-
Animatic creation
-
Production planning and shot breakdown
Outcome: A complete, approved storyboard animatic.
Phase 2
In Studio Film Lab (June-July)
8 Weeks at Stiúideo Fia covering:
-
Puppet and asset creation (digital sculpt, armatures, fabrication)
-
Set build and production design
-
Stop-motion animation performance
-
Lighting, camera, and shot execution
-
Sound and post-production preparation
Outcome: One completed Irish-language stop-motion film. The film will premiere at Frame Fest, a bi-lingual stop-motion animation festival hosted by Stiúideo Fia.
Paid Participation
Frame by Frame operates as a paid trainee programme during this pilot phase.
Participants receive:
-
€550 weekly bursary
-
Accommodation support where required
-
Mentorship from experienced practitioners
-
Access to professional equipment and studio facilities
This support ensures the programme is accessible to participants from across Ireland.
Apply Now
Applications for Frame by Frame
are now open.
Application Deadline: 17 April 2026
Offer to Participants: 27 April 2026
Programme Start Date: 11 May 2026