Thirteen IFB funded Feature Films in Production since May this year
Despite increasingly competitive and difficult international economic conditions, the Irish film industry continues to deliver strong international investment, with a major increase in film production over the past five months. Thirteen films, with a combined overall budget of over €42 million have gone into production since May with stars including Colin Farrell, Eva Green, Liam Neeson, Sally Hawkins and Ciaran Hinds filming in locations all over Ireland.
James Morris IFB Chair said "The encouraging level and quality of film production in Ireland this year is the result of intense marketing and negotiation by a growing band of internationally experienced Irish producers supported by the Irish Film Board and backed up by a consistent and focused government policy of support for the Irish film industry."
"In terms of maintaining growth into the future, the industry is experiencing the same intense competitive pressures as every other sector of the economy. The IFB is committed to pursuing every avenue to ensure that the momentum created by investment in prior years is not set back in the short term, so that the film industry can make a meaningful contribution to restoring growth to the economy" Morris continued.
Irish films currently in production include THE ECLIPSE directed by Conor McPherson (The Actors) and starring Ciaran Hinds (There Will Be Blood) which began a five week shoot in Cobh Co. Cork this month. THE ECLIPSE is produced by Treasure Films with funding from the IFB, RTE and the BCI. EAMONN directed by Margaret Corkery and Ken Wardrop's (Undressing My Mother) debut documentary feature ONE HUNDRED TO ONE OUTSIDERS both began production in mid-August.
HAPPY EVER AFTERS, a screwball wedding comedy, a manic mix of romance, deception, politics, sex and love directed by Stephen Burke and starring Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky) is filming on location in Dublin and Wicklow.
Irish films currently in post-production include ONDINE, starring Colin Farrell (In Bruges, Minority Report), Alicja Bachleda (Trade), Stephen Rea (The Crying Game) and introducing Alison Barry. Written and directed by Academy Award winner Neil Jordan, ONDINE is a tale about hope, love and the value of believing in magic. Also in post is SAVAGE, a psychological thriller about obsession and revenge directed by Brendan Muldowney and produced by SP Films.
International feature films on location in Ireland over the past few months include TRIAGE directed by Danis Tanovic (No Man's Land) starring Colin Farrell and CRACKS directed by Jordan Scott starring Eva Green (Casino Royale), both of which filmed on location in Dublin and Wicklow. Throughout June and July CHERRY BOMB directed by Lisa Barros d'Sa and Glen Leyburn and FIVE MINUTES OF HEAVEN directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel (Downfall), starring Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt filmed on location in Belfast. SHINE OF RAINBOWS directed by Vic Sarin filmed on location in Donegal and LOVE AND SAVAGERY directed by John Smith filmed on location in Clare. FOXES directed by Mira Fornayová filmed in Dublin and Wicklow for three weeks in August.
All of the films mentioned above were produced with support from Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB).