Irish Film Board welcomes 15% increase for 2007 Budget
Board Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) was today awarded a budget increase of almost 15% for 2007 by Minister for Arts Sport and Tourism John O’Donoghue, bringing the agency’s capital funding for film and television to €17 million. The IFB’s total allocation for 2007 including administration is now €19.659 million.Acknowledging this increase to the 2007 budget, Irish Film Board Chairman James Morris said “We welcome Minister O’Donoghue’s consistent and on-going support for the Irish film industry. As a result of budget increases made to the Irish Film Board last year, projects produced with funding from the Irish Film Board in 2006 had combined budgets of over €120 million, which in turn has generated over €80 million in Irish spend, showing a significant return on government investment in the sector. We look forward to being in a strong position next year to continue to support the development and production of Irish films.”
Commenting on the allocation provided for the Irish Film Board, the Minister said "This increase will enable the Board to continue with its essential role of developing and supporting the Irish film sector. The increased current allocation will facilitate the Board in marketing Ireland as a film location and in particular will assist the work of the newly opened office in Los Angeles in raising the profile of the Irish audiovisual industry abroad. This provision underlies the sustained Government support for the Board, which has seen its allocation increase by 60% since 2002."
The value of the film and television industry has increased from €96.9 million in 2005 to an estimated €175.7 million in 2006.
Indigenous Irish feature films supported by the Irish Film Board this year include SHROOMS directed by Paddy Breathnach, GARAGE directed by Lenny Abrahamson, 32A directed by Marian Quinn, KINGS directed by Tom Collins, ONCE directed by John Carney, THE TIGER’S TAIL directed by John Boorman, SMALL ENGINE REPAIR directed by Niall Heery and HOW ABOUT YOU directed by Anthony Byrne.
International projects which shot on location in Ireland this year with Irish directors attached include THE TUDORS with directors Brian Kirk and Ciaran Donnelly, KITCHEN directed by Kieron J. Walsh, and MURPHY’S LAW directed by Colum McCarthy.
The Irish Film board has introduced a number of new funds in 2006 including the Multiple Development Fund which aims to provide a fresh approach to the provision of support for producers who have an attractive slate of projects that they are seeking to develop. Successful applicants for this scheme will be announced towards the end of the year. BECOMING JANE and PS I LOVE YOU also shot on location in Ireland this year.