IRISH FILM BOARD WELCOMES NEW STAFF
Ireland’s National Screen Agency, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/ the Irish Film Board (BSÉ/IFB), has appointed Paula Mulroe and Noemi Ferrer to the positions of Development Manager and Deputy Head of Production Investment, respectively, while Victoria Pope and Linda McEvoy have been named Policy Executive and Business Executive, respectively.As Development Manager, Mulroe shall supervise content development at the Agency, including draft-by-draft and slate development. A native of the west of Ireland, Mulroe joins the Agency in mid-June.
An English and Media Studies graduate of the University of Ulster, with a Masters in Arts and TV Studies from Dublin City University, Mulroe is presently a London-based script editor for EASTENDERS in the drama department of the BBC, having worked in development at BBC Northern Ireland on such content as BALLYKISSANGEL, SINNERS and the award-winning HOLY CROSS. Previously, Mulroe was an assistant lecturer in Film Studies at the University of Limerick and also worked at the Corman-operated Irish studios Concorde Anois.
Noemi Ferrer joins the Agency in late June as Deputy Head of Production Investment. Working with our Head of Production & Development (to whom she shall report) and the CEO, Ferrer Schwenk shall manage assigned movies, drama, documentary, animations and short films from pre-application stage, to liaison with co-financers, and supervising the projects through the production process.
For the past four years, Ferrer was acquisitions manager for German distributor Prokino, having previously worked as an editor in the news and TV series departments of German TV network ProSieben and as a creative producer for German producer Mirag Films. A political science graduate of Germany‘s Berthold Brecht University, with a Masters in Scandinavian Studies from Germany‘s Ludwig-Maximilians University, Ferrer is fluent in English, French, German, Danish and Spanish.
At Prokino, Ferrer was responsible for assessing films at both completed and script stage, dealing with talent and financing partners, supervising local films through production, analysing budgets and assisting with contracting, deal terms and marketing plans. Ferrer was a key part of the team which acquired such acclaimed titles as AMELIE, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE, BARBARIAN INVASIONS, SUPERSIZE ME! and German documentary STORY OF THE WEEPING CAMEL.
Victoria Pope joins the Agency in late May as Policy Executive. That post combines the policy, strategy and research roles commonly found in other national film agencies and is responsible for coordinating the conceptualisation and development of internal and industry policy, strategy, corporate governance and procedures, as well as overseeing governmental relations, and writing policy papers and submissions, and spearheading industry consultations on guideline drafting and reviews of the Agency’s programs.
A Bachelor of Business graduate of Australia’s University of Queensland, Pope worked at Film Victoria as manager, industry development and investment. The Melbourne-based Film Victoria is the state government film development, investment and promotion agency of the southern Australian state of Victoria. It has co-financed many award-winning films, including JAPANESE STORY (Cannes Film Festival 2003) and this year’s Oscar-winning HARVIE KRUMPET. Prior to working at Film Victoria, Pope worked in production on such content as children’s TV series OCEAN GIRL and Paramount Pictures film THE PHANTOM.
Linda McEvoy joins the Agency in July as Business Executive. Reporting to the Head of Business Affairs, McEvoy shall assist with the Agency’s contracting of its content investments and monitoring contractual compliance.
A qualified solicitor, McEvoy is a Bachelor of Business Studies graduate of Dublin’s Trinity College, with a Masters of Arts. Most recently, McEvoy was a solicitor in the commercial, corporate and regulatory areas at Mediterranean Nautilus, having served as assistant legal counsel at West End Capital Management. She also worked in defence litigation at the Chief State Solicitors Office, having served as apprentice solicitor at Hussey & O’Higgins Solicitors.
“I am thrilled to welcome executives of the calibre of Paula, Noemi, Victoria and Linda to the Agency,” said BSE/IFB CEO Mark Woods. “Paula’s development experience across films and TV series and serials for one of the world’s leading broadcasters, Victoria’s track record in another prestigious film funding agency, Noemi’s depth of knowledge in European production, distribution and sales agents, and Linda corporate legal background shall serve the Agency and Irish producers well.”
Meantime, JP Kavanagh has joined the Agency as Acting Accountant, covering for Celine Forde during her maternity leave.