Irish TV and animation sector play starring role at MIPCOM 2023
Posted: 19th October 2023
This week, leading Irish screen production companies across animation and TV drama attended MIPCOM (Marché International des Programmes de Communication) in Cannes, France (16th-19th October), the premier television industry trade exhibition in the world.
Screen Ireland partnered with Enteprise Ireland and Tourism Ireland on the Ireland on Screen stand, managed by Enterprise Ireland, promoted further investment and partnership in Ireland, while leading production companies continued to pitch strong slates across drama, animation and factual. From Screen Ireland, Andrew Byrne, Head of Television at Screen Ireland, and Michael Byrne, Inward Production & Sustainability Executive, were both in attendance this year.
Andrew Byrne, Head of Television at Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland commented:
We are delighted to once again support a wealth of Irish stories on screen as they travel across the globe. From high profile drama series, to must-see factual entertainment, and of course, wonderful animation series for children and young audiences, Ireland continues to showcase its strong voice and incredible range of offerings for TV audiences in Europe and beyond.”
Speaking about MIPCOM and Enterprise Ireland’s support of the wider creative industry, Eileen Bell, Senior Development Advisor – Digital Technologies at Enterprise Ireland said:
We are delighted to support the excellent Irish companies attending MIPCOM CANNES this week and highlight the immense talent at the heart of the Irish creative arts industry on a global stage. Twenty leading Irish screen production companies are attending MIPCOM this week and participating in the Ireland on Screen stand, which provides a unique and valuable platform to meet with some of the biggest players in the industry, delivering significant exposure and sales potential.”
Ronan McCabe, CEO of Animation Ireland, the trade association for Irish animation studios, is also attending MIPCOM this week. He commented:
Animation Ireland is delighted to participate at the Ireland on Screen stand at MIPCOM. The financing of animation often involves co-production arrangements and the participation of international partners and funders. It is great to have the opportunity to meet existing and potential partners and customers and to be part of the wider Irish content offering. Irish animation is a globally recognised brand, and we acknowledge the support of our stakeholders, Enterprise Ireland, Screen Ireland and broadcasters in the consolidation and growth of our sector."
Emma Gorman, Tourism Ireland’s Publicity and Brand Partnerships Manager, said:
Tourism Ireland is delighted to attend MIPCOM CANNES this week. Co-producing TV content about the island of Ireland that will inspire and engage audiences overseas is an increasingly important element of our programme of activity. So MIPCOM is an excellent opportunity to connect with producers, distributors and broadcast commissioners, to discuss storytelling from the island of Ireland and explore how we can work together to bring it to international audiences and ultimately promote the island of Ireland as a holiday destination.”
The major event in the screen calendar comes on the back of a hugely successful period for the Irish entertainment sector. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the strength of Irish stories and original IP making waves at home and around the world. The success of the sector is a testament to Ireland's committed investment in world-class storytelling, artistry and technology and a growth in the number of studios established nationwide.
Irish TV drama production has been incredibly active, with Screen Ireland’s broad slate of existing series available for European audiences, including Hidden Assets, Smother, Blackshore, Kin, Clean Sweep, Northern Lights and The Gone, joining a further bank of new drama in production and ready for market, including The Hard Acres (Paramount), Obituary (Hulu), Jo Spain’s adaptation of The Boy that Never Was, Emma’s Baby, Dead and Buried, and new Irish-language drama Saor Sin Ó Olc, all being sold at the market this week.
For Ireland’s long-standing global animation reputation, Irish IP continues to shine across Europe, with shows like Ladybird Lu, Critters TV, Goat Girl, Fia’s Fairies, The Clumps, Hey Fuzzy Yellow and Maddie + Triggs driving interest from potential buyers across Cannes.
With long-standing success across Irish animation, as well as a rapidly expanding TV drama slate, Screen Ireland has recently announced a new fund for high-end documentary TV series. This new investment will aim to continue supporting Irish producers and creatives as they expand their offering, and reach even wider audiences with unique and well-crafted factual storytelling. For more details on the Documentary Series Fund, please click here.