Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland partner on trade mission with Minister Peter Burke (T.D.), Enterprise Ireland and the IDA to promote Ireland’s fast-growing VFX and Post-Production sector to international studios
Posted: 24th September 2024
Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, the national agency for the Irish screen industry, is delighted to partner with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland on a trade mission this week in Los Angeles. The purpose of the trade mission is to promote Ireland’s fast-growing visual effects (VFX) and post-production sector to Los Angeles-based studios, streaming and production companies.
The VFX sector in Ireland is one of the fastest growing sectors in the Irish screen industry, increasing 326% in revenue since 2019. The sector’s work includes a host of some of the biggest films and television series in the world, from Marvel Studios’ Wanda Vision and Spiderman – No Way Home to FX’s Shogun for Disney Plus, which garnered an Emmy Award win for Irish VFX studio Screen Scene VFX this year.
Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, said:
"The VFX and post-production sector combines Ireland’s strength in technical skill and world-class storytelling artistry. The quality of award-winning Irish VFX to date has demonstrated a significant opportunity for future growth. This trade mission will highlight the value of Ireland’s rapidly expanding VFX and post-production sector to our long-standing US Studio partners. Screen Ireland is dedicated to supporting the future of this sector in Ireland through the National Talent Academy for VFX and skills development opportunities nationwide.”
The market value of the global film and episodic VFX market is predicted to grow from US$5.15 billion in 2022 to US$9.92 billion in 2028. This week’s trade mission offers a strong opportunity for the Irish sector to capitalise on this growth, updating key industry partners on recent successes for the Irish screen industry, the planned expansion and additional studio/production infrastructure in the country, as well as underlining ongoing Government support for the industry, such as recent improvements to the Irish film and television incentive Section 481. A delegation of VFX companies across Ireland travelled to Los Angeles to attend meetings between senior executives from studios and streaming companies like Netflix and and Amazon MGM Studios. These VFX companies include EGG Post Production and VFX, Element Post, Outer Limits, Piranha Bar, SSVFX and Windmill Lane.
This year, Screen Ireland launched a new National Talent Academy for VFX to support skills development for the rapidly expanding sector, addressing current skills gaps and creating opportunities that will allow Irish creatives to upskill with a strong emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion across the sector. Screen Ireland also provides support via the Animation and VFX Pathways programme – a fund designed to provide work opportunities on productions for those from diverse and under-represented communities.
The world’s leading streaming and production companies have been investing significantly in content creation in recent years and Ireland is justifiably recognised as both an attractive filming location and a powerhouse for creative talent, experienced in producing and co-producing high-end screen storytelling for international audiences. The objective of the trade mission is to build on the success of recent years by strengthening existing partnerships, and to ensure that Ireland remains internationally competitive as both a creative production partner and hub.