BSÉ/IFB Hosts Delegation of Producers from FremantleMedia Group
From September 22nd - 24th Bord Scannan na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board played host to a delegation of leading drama producers from the FremantleMedia group of companies. Delegates came from the US, UK, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and Finland. The aim of the trade mission was to encourage co-production with Irish producers of TV drama.
Over a three day period the delegation met with leading Irish producers of live action and animated drama content, post-production houses, film studios, and broadcasters, whilst also visiting popular film locations. The group held 110 meetings during the short visit.
FremantleMedia is one of the largest international creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming. It operates production companies in over 22 countries worldwide with over 320 titles in production at any one time including The Bill and Neighbours, delivering 10,000 hours of original programming annually to broadcasters.
FremantleMedia's decision to take a closer look at the Irish film and television industry comes on foot of a bumper 2010 for incoming international TV drama shooting and/or post producing in Ireland, including Camelot (Starz), Primeval (ITV), Neverland (Sky Movies), and Game of Thrones (HBO).
Increased production levels are being largely driven by improvements to the Irish tax incentive, Section 481, worth 28%, which is available to TV drama and pays out on the first day of principal photography.
The familiarisation trip was widely supported by the Irish industry with Ardmore Studios, Enterprise Ireland, Horwath Bastow Charleton, RTE, Screen Producers Ireland, Screen Scene and Windmill Lane all providing sponsorship.