John O'Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism reinforces his support for the Irish Tax Incentive Section 481 at Launch of Irish Pavilion
John O'Donoghue, the Irish Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, launched the Irish Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival, where he announced his continuing support of the Irish film industry and in particular the Irish tax incentive Section 481.Addressing over 200 members of the Irish film industry and international guests the Minister said that he welcomed ongoing feedback from the industry about concerns they had. He went on to say that the Irish Film industry "recognises that it is operating in a highly competitive business. There can be no such thing as standing still, resting on our laurels, or regarding the job as complete," and that he was "carefully examining the implications of current limits on the amounts that can be raised under the scheme, particularly for bigger budget productions."
The Minister confirmed that arrangements were currently underway for the appointment of a Deputy Film Commissioner in Los Angeles, which was first announced on the Minister's Trade Mission to the USA earlier this year. The new Deputy Film Commissioner will liaise with the major studios there and effectively link these studios with the services and supports available in Ireland.
The Minister ended his key note address of a high note saying that he "strongly believed Ireland has a lot to offer incoming film producers, quite apart from our tax incentives. Our locations are excellent.. and our film professionals and those who support them are accustomed to meeting the highest international standards".
Now in it's sixth year the Irish Pavilion is a joint marketing initiative between Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board and The Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission, which acts as the focal point for Irish activities at the Cannes Film Festival.
This year the Irish Pavilion is sponsored by Easyjet.com; Ardmore Studios; Avica; and Magma Films.