Ireland wins bid to host Cineposium, AFCI’s 2023 Global Film Industry Summit in Limerick
Posted: 11th March 2023
Major International Studios Coming to Limerick, Ireland in 2023 for International Film Event as part of Strategic Focus to Further Developing Regional Production
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin (TD), Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Innovate Limerick / Film in Limerick and the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) are delighted to announce that Limerick City in Ireland has won the competitive bid to host the Cineposium conference, a major global film conference.
The announcement comes today in Los Angeles, where Screen Ireland and Minister Catherine Martin, T.D. have been leading a trade mission to promote the Irish screen industry. Minister Catherine Martin (TD) met with the Executive Director of the AFCI, Jaclyn Philpott, along with Yvette Estrada from NBC Universal, one of the major studios who sit on the advisory board of the organisation, who filmed Cocaine Bear in Ireland last year.
Minister Catherine Martin, T.D., said:
“I am delighted to announce, along with AFCI and Screen Ireland, that Limerick will play host to a global film conference, ‘Cineposium’, this September. This is an excellent opportunity to build on the current wave of success that is happening across the screen industry, and to further strengthen our partnerships with international production companies and studios around the world. Being able to showcase Ireland as a global production hub is a fantastic way to drive more international production to all parts of the country, further developing skills and opportunities for Irish talent and our skilled crew base here.”
AFCI’s Cineposium event, which will take place in the last week of September 2023, brings Film Commissions and industry leaders from around the world together to discuss policy, economic development and screen production and will serve as an opportunity to showcase Limerick and the west coast of Ireland to major studio execs.
Hosting the event is the result of a competitive bid process open to all AFCI Film Commission members, won this year by Film in Limerick. Over the past decade, Cineposium has taken place in the US, France, New Zealand, Spain, South Korea, Russia and Colombia. The annual Cineposium conference connects AFCI members and film industry professionals with production industry partners and policy makers worldwide.
Screen Ireland has put a key strategic focus encouraging the growth of film and television production nationwide, and recently announced the establishment of a new fund to support regional activity, ring-fencing €3.5 million from the agency’s budget for the fund. Designed to develop crew resource and skills all around the country, the fund will require commitments in the areas of Diversity and Inclusion, sustainable production and on-set initiatives.
Jaclyn Philpott, Executive Director of the AFCI, said:
“Screen Ireland joined AFCI in June, 2018. Their office has consistently exemplified leadership in sustainability, workforce development programs and providing production support for filmmakers and content creators filming in the country, as well as being an active and valued member of AFCI. I’m enthusiastic that Ireland has been selected to host Cineposium, where a diverse mix of screen sector professionals will merge to learn, build connections and explore new methods of collaboration.”
Paul C. Ryan, Regional Film Manager at Innovate Limerick / Film in Limerick said:
“Working together with Screen Ireland, we have ambitious plans for the development of the sector in the Mid-West. As well as the infrastructure, crew base and tax incentives, we are blessed with stunning locations made for cinema. From the dramatic coastal areas of Clare to the rich Georgian heritage of Limerick City and the lush countryside and castles in Tipperary, the Mid-West and regions have so much to offer. Film in Limerick winning the bid to host Cineposium in Limerick is a wonderful opportunity to showcase these regions as the perfect locations for film and TV production. With our host partners, Screen Ireland, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, and support from MSL ETB and the Western Development Commission, we are planning an exciting and memorable week of events and we look forward to offering a warm welcome to industry leaders and film commissions."
Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, welcomed the news, saying:
“We are delighted to welcome the news that Cineposium will be held in Ireland this September. Limerick winning this bid is a significant recognition of Ireland’s position as a world-class location for film production, both in terms of the range of talent and skilled crew and craftspeople available across the country, as well as our country’s renowned landscapes and diverse locations. Consistent investment in the film industry over decades has created incredible opportunities in terms of employment, skills development, local investment and the generation of cultural value and visionary storytelling. Cineposium is an excellent opportunity to showcase the strength and power of the Irish screen industry and we look forward to welcoming global film industry representatives to Limerick this year.”
The film sector is a priority focus for Limerick City and County Council and working closely with Clare Council and Tipperary Council, film and TV production has grown rapidly in the Mid-West region in recent years. Leading this development is Film in Limerick, a project of Innovate Limerick, set up to develop the sector. Limerick is home to the largest studio in Ireland, Troy Studios, and with a generous tax incentive and added regional funding available through Screen Ireland and the Wrap Fund, it is an attractive location for productions. Key to the success of the region has been partnerships with Screen Ireland and with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, to deliver training through a Crew Academy and targeted training initiatives that react to industry needs. Building a strong local crew base to support inward productions is a key priority for Film in Limerick.
This is the first time in the organisation’s 46-year history that the conference has taken place in Ireland. Cineposium 2023 will take place in the last week of September. Further information about Cineposium sessions, speakers and early registration will be announced shortly.