After two terms as Chief Executive of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, James Hickey will be moving on at the end of his current term in June 2019. James served an initial five-year period from 2011 with an extension of three years granted in 2016.
Commenting on his decision James Hickey said “It has been an honour and a privilege for me to serve Ireland’s film, TV and animation community since 2011. Eight years later, the tax incentive for the Irish film and screen industries has been extended to 2024, our capital funding has increased from €11.2 million to €16.2 million and there is a strong commitment from Government to provide €200 million in funding to Screen Ireland over the ten-year period from 2018-2027.
“The international reputation of the creative talent working in the Irish film and screen industries has grown and strengthened over the last number of years. A strong body of work has been created, which I believe better reflects the wide diversity of Irish talent in film and screen content. I believe this is the right time for a transition to a new Chief Executive and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board and staff at Screen Ireland for their unstinting commitment and dedication. Finally, none of what was achieved over the last number of years, could have been done without the work of Irish writers, directors, producers, animators, designers, composers, cast and crew of all the films and screen content produced with our support, and it is them I want to thank especially.”
Screen Ireland Chair Dr. Annie Doona said “I would like to pay tribute to James, who has been an incredibly committed Chief Executive during his time here at Screen Ireland and has dedicated his entire career to the film and television industry. He will be missed by both staff and Board, and we wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland will advertise the position of Chief Executive Officer this week, aiming to fill the position by June 2019. James Hickey remains in place as Chief Executive of Screen Ireland until this time.
To read James Hickey’s letter to the industry, please click here.