Irish filmmakers promised extra funding
Filmmakers are to benefit from additional funding as part of a bid to reverse the slump in the Irish movie industry, it emerged today.
The Irish Film Board (IFB), in consultation with the Arts Department, has allocated extra funding to support the production of any new film or television drama projects that begin production before the end of 2005.
The board warned the Irish film and television industry had suffered a slump in production levels since 2003 as a direct result of the strengthening euro, uncertainty of tax regimes and competing incentives for film-making in other locations around the world.
“As a result of these combined factors, there are now serious implications for the future of the Irish film and television sector including potential erosion of infrastructure, under-employment and emigration of skills from the sector,” a statement from the board said.
Any projects which meet the criteria and begin production prior to the end of 2005 may receive a total of €1.5m in additional funding.
Selected projects must meet the standard IFB criteria and be considered European Union cultural projects under the requirements of the scheme of tax relief for investments in film production, Section 481.
Arts Minister John O’Donoghue said: “I am acutely aware that Irish producers and all of those seeking to attract international productions to Ireland are facing intensified competitive pressures.
“In conjunction with the Irish Film Board, I will continue to monitor and re-evaluate our position and the measures needed to respond to changing conditions.
“What is certain is that in a dynamic and constantly evolving environment such as the film sector, the only way to succeed is to stay alert, stay responsive, and compete with the best.”
The IFB’s production panel will assess the projects on their creative strength, the track record of the team involved, the amount of Irish employment generated and the economic benefits to the economy.
James Morris, chair of the board, said: “This additional support to increase production levels is, in the view of the Irish Film Board, a necessary response in this time of uncertainty within the international film and television industry.”
The IFB said it had also begun working on a range of recommendations in consultation with government and industry to ensure Ireland’s competitiveness as a centre for film production and to stimulate growth in the sector.
