Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) (10 April 2018) has welcomed the publication of Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027, announced as part of Project Ireland 2040 — the Government’s overarching policy initiative to provide an improved social, economic and cultural infrastructure for the entire nation. IFB Chair, Dr Annie Doona took the opportunity to thank the host, Minister Josepha Madigan T.D., and An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar T.D. for today unveiling an unprecedented governmental commitment to culture and creativity, including funding to invest in media production and the audio-visual industry over a ten-year period.
- Government will provide close to €1.2 billion in capital funding for culture and creativity over ten-year period
- €200 million investment in media production and audio-visual industry within same period
- IFB welcomes commencement date for change of name to Screen Ireland
As part of the publication — which was announced by Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan T.D and An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar T.D. in the National Gallery of Ireland — the IFB welcomes the announcements include an investment of €200 million over a ten-year period in Ireland’s film and screen content sector, including the commitment of funding to the sector through the IFB. This will allow the agency to fulfil its remit and help to position this vital part of the creative industries as a strategically important contributor to the cultural and economic life of the country.
The IFB also welcomes the announcement of the implementation of the change of name of the Board, with effect from 18 June 2018, to Screen Ireland to reflect and encompass the widening remit of the agency across film, animation, TV drama and other screen content. This will bolster the Board’s commitment and responsibilities in supporting the continuing success of Irish creative talent on screen as well as strengthening the agency’s abilities to capitalise on the growth opportunities currently experienced in film and screen content storytelling.
Central to the role of the IFB is the support and empowerment of Irish creative filmmaking talent. This talent — which includes established and emerging writers, directors, producers, editors, post-production supervisors, set and costume designers and directors of photography to name but a few — is the lifeblood of a thriving audio-visual sector, which presently supports over seventeen thousand full-time jobs; all making significant and salient contributions to the cultural and economic fabric of Irish life. The IFB has always prided itself on providing a platform for our uniquely Irish stories on screen to come to the fore at both a domestic and international level. This announcement of additional capital funding will allow the agency to facilitate the creation and realisation of many more original and diverse stories on screen.
It will also allow the sector to build on its reputation as an attractive territory for international production, comprising world-class locations and infrastructure, a skilled workforce and a competitive tax credit, and will focus primarily on film production, high-end TV drama and animation.
Speaking about the publication of Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027, IFB Chair, Annie Doona said:
“This morning’s announcements as part of Project Ireland 2040 that over the next ten years, the Government will provide close to €1.2 billion in capital funding for culture, heritage and our language — including €200 million investment in media production and the audio-visual industry — is great news, and will facilitate the IFB in unlocking the full potential of our ever-evolving industry.
“This enhanced commitment to culture is crucial because it will allow us to build on Ireland’s international reputation as a hub for creativity for film and screen content and an attractive audio-visual territory. It will further consolidate our efforts to fully realise the ambitions of Pillar 4 of Creative Ireland in further establishing Ireland as a global centre of excellence for media production.
“We also welcome the commencement date of the transition of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board into Screen Ireland. This transition represents more than a name change, as it seeks to represent the ever-evolving nature of the sector thanks to the international revolution within the audio-visual sector, largely driven by a host of new internet platforms alongside the continued success of the traditional film and TV industry. As Screen Ireland, we will remain steadfastly committed to supporting diverse Irish voices on film, as well as capitalising on the opportunities for growth currently experienced within the sector.
“Finally, I would like to once again thank the Government for this dedicated commitment to Irish culture; recognising it as the locus from which so many elements of Irish life emerges.”
James Hickey, IFB Chief Executive added:
“The IFB very much welcomes the announcements of the Government’s long-term commitment to capital funding for media production and the audio-visual industry over the next ten years. We also very much welcome the announcement of the change of name to Screen Ireland, giving full expression to the widening remit of the IFB across the film and screen content sector. We look forward to working with the Department’s Creative Ireland programme in implementing Pillar 4 of its strategy, with Ireland growing and expanding as a centre of excellence for media production over the next ten years.”
Overview of €200 million Investment in Media Production and Audio Visual Industry
Co-production funding to support the development and production of more projects such as Room and Brooklyn
Development funding to increase the value of Irish productions in the marketplace by ensuring they are fully developed before entering the marketplace
Funding to encourage the production of new Irish TV drama content
Regional Production Fund aimed at assisting with the cost of filming outside of Dublin and Wicklow regions
Additional training of film workers and crew, particularly in the regions