Post-COVID Sideline’s CCO  Billy McGrath decided to ‘get off the road’ to enjoy life, family, and the future. Sideline is now solely a content creation company with one employee! This highly experienced content creator, producer, and director is currently focused on developing scripted material and feature-length documentaries while also working as a script editor, format doctor, executive producer, or project consultant with writers and producers during the development or post-production phases.

He has held the Writer’s Tax Exemption Certificate since 2017 and in 2021 graduated from the National Film School in Dublin (IADT) with 1st Class Hons.

During 2023 a new live stage memoir, GUSTO with Billy Magra, was workshopped in Listowel, Galway, and Limerick, with a week’s run in Dublin’s Project Arts Theatre in April, before a special edited show at the Curious Minds Tent at the brilliant All Together Now Festival in Co. Waterford. Billy didn’t create GUSTO for fame or fortune but rather to challenge his comfort zone and highlight the vast opportunities available for individuals in their 3rd Act.

https://www.facebook.com/billy.mcgrath.5245/videos/246926624884834

Instinctively, Billy can’t avoid creating or backing commercial screen hits. In 2024, RTE’s Head of Specialist Factual Colm O’Callaghan commissioned a two-part docuseries, Ballroom Blitz, with U2’s Adam Clayton as host. A feature-length version, ‘BALLROOM BOOM,’ was introduced to the world at MIP 2025 and in spring 2026 was screened in New York, Toronto, and London to sold-out audiences.

Billy also operates in a part-time role (max 20 days a year) with the Bealtaine Festival (May 2026-2028) as Performing Arts Curator. Bealtaine is part of Age & Opportunity, AKA Lust for Life. He also designed and hosted a 6-week comedy writing course (in person/sold out) at the Irish Writers Centre in early 2026. Currently immersed in various scripted projects—two screenplays, an hour-long TV drama, and a 30-minute sitcom—plus developing both stage and screen originals for 2026 and beyond.

Billy is also happy to work ‘on spec’ if the idea is strong enough and can personally fund any project up to a bible, treatment, sizzle, 1st draft, or pilot if required, before pitching directly to an established network of commissioners (including those in the UK), international agents, distributors, directors, and producers. If we can help in any way, contact billy@sideline.ie Usual T&Cs apply.

In the meantime, enjoy the wide range of shows Sideline produced since 2005-2018.