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Minister Catherine Martin TD opens Fís Éireann/Screen Industry Day

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Minister Catherine Martin TD opens Fís Éireann/Screen Industry Day

Posted: 4th October 2022

  • New funding streams worth €3 million announced in gaming, documentary, animation innovation and IP development
  • Up to €3.5 million from Screen Ireland's 2023 budget to be ringfenced to support regional activity

October 4, 2022: More than 400 professionals from the screen industry are gathering in Dublin today, as part of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland’s first in-person industry events since the Covid-19 pandemic. The event at the Lighthouse Cinema was opened by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD.

On the back of the €1 million increase it received to its capital fund in Budget 2023, announced last week, Screen Ireland today announced details of a number of new funding initiatives, worth a total of €3 million.

Enabling the Irish screen industry to explore new avenues for storytelling is a key focus. Included in the new funding measures is a focus on capitalising on the new digital gaming tax credit. A 2023 Gaming Pilot Fund will be launched in the coming weeks. An IP/Option consultation was also singled out as an opportunity to support Irish producers retain and compete in the negotiation for Irish IP, as well as in the wider international marketplace.

Screen Ireland’s Production and Development teams gave a preview of the upcoming updates for funding areas and processes in 2023, which will continue to invest in sustainable growth and expand on the range of supports for the industry.

In Production, this took the form of continued investment in company development, with the announcement of a new round of the Creative Futures Slate Fund, with €2.5 million invested in building of projects and in-house creative development teams in Irish production companies.

The second round of the Animation Concept and Immersive Storytelling Fund was confirmed to open later this week, supporting the development of new innovative formats and content with a view to driving new audiences, with up to €50,000 available for projects based in emerging technologies.

The agency also reiterated its support for film and Ireland’s national cinema culture, with additional marketing and distribution funding supports to bolster new and existing audiences for Irish film.

Addressing the industry representatives gathered, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, said:

“The screen industry demonstrated exceptional resilience throughout the pandemic and we were all grateful for the creative content developed by those of you in attendance that kept us entertained and inspired through those darkest of days. Nonetheless, I know that it was also a challenging time for many of you working in the industry, and I am delighted to have been in a position to provide €37.7 million in funding to Screen Ireland in Budget 2023, and an increase of €1 million in capital funding. Government recognises the value of the work that you do, from both a social and economic perspective, and Screen Ireland has exciting plans for the distribution of the funding that it is sharing with you today.”

Désirée Finnegan, CEO of Screen Ireland said:

“We are delighted to be able to announce a number of initiatives today, opening up new avenues of storytelling for the next generation. The Animation Innovation Fund will create opportunities for companies who want to explore new platforms and technologies, from virtual reality to interactive content. We are also delighted to be launching a new pilot gaming fund at today’s event.

Screen Ireland is also committed to regional activity and following the budget last week, we were pleased to announce that €3.5 million of the 2023 budget will be ringfenced for regional  activity.”

Screen Ireland is also committed to regional activity and following the publication of Budget 2023 last week, we were pleased to announce that €3.5 million of its 2023 budget will be ringfenced for regional activity, taking into account the need for further supports in that area.

Tied hand in hand with the development of the indigenous industry is a strong and skilled crewbase and Screen Ireland’s National Talent Academies, and progress in areas across skills and talent development, were key topics for discussion. As well as regional development, an international outlook also remains essential. The importance of maintaining strong international partnerships and relationships, both in Europe and around the world, was also outlined.

Screen Ireland’s Industry Days took place in both Galway and Dublin, further emphasising the agency’s commitment to a national approach to developing the Irish screen industry.

 

About the Irish Creative Screen Industry:

The Irish screen industry, comprising the film, television and animation sectors, has experienced unprecedented growth in the last two decades. In 2021, a record-breaking spend of €500 million was recorded in the Irish economy across film, television drama, documentary and animation production. This level of spend on jobs and local goods and services represents the highest ever achieved and is a 40% increase on the previous record set in 2019.

After incredible levels of growth in 2021, Screen Ireland’s emphasis is to ensure future growth is as responsible and sustainable as possible. In building an industry that is fully inclusive and representative of modern Ireland, Screen Ireland will prioritise skills development programmes, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and further supports to encourage new entrants to find pathways in and through the screen industry.

The screen industry is currently supporting 12,000* jobs in direct, indirect and induced employment, with additional expansion opportunities across all parts of the industry anticipated in the coming year.

The success of screen production activity has come on the back of a combination of Ireland’s competitiveness in attracting international productions, Screen Ireland’s own development funding opportunities and schemes for local producers and creative talent, as well as direct support from Government that is key to driving and maintaining this success.