Minister Martin showcases Irish VFX Companies and meets with US Screen Industry Execs as part of LA trade mission
Posted: 19th May 2022
Minister Martin and Screen Ireland Launch New Online Service to Irish Diaspora for Irish Film and TV as part of Trade Mission
This week, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin (T.D.) met with senior executives from Los Angeles-based studios as part of a two day trade mission to support, promote and grow Ireland’s screen industry. The trade mission also included a showcase promoting the Irish VFX sector, and the launch of a new digital service Where to Watch to promote Irish film to audiences around the world.
As part of IrelandWeek, the trade mission concluded with an event on Tuesday, supported by Screen Ireland, to showcase leading Irish VFX companies and the globally recognised standard of work being produced by the sector. The animation and VFX industry is valued at up to 26 billion, and its potential for growth in Ireland is enormous, where the overall film, television and animation industry is worth over €692 million in Total Gross Value.* In the past 15 years, Irish post-production and VFX has become a leading area of expertise in the Irish screen industry, with a highly-skilled local talent pool. High-profile work includes some of the biggest films and television series in the world, from Marvel Studios’ Wanda Vision and Spiderman – No Way Home to Netflix’s The Irishman to HBO’s Game of Thrones.
At an event in the Los Angeles Consulate on Monday evening, Minister Martin also launched a new online service from Screen Ireland called Where to Watch, a digital discovery platform to help audiences discover where to watch Irish film and selected TV, in cinemas or on streaming platforms.
During the trade mission, the Minister conducted a series of meetings with senior executives from LA-based studios, including Disney, Netflix, NBC Universal and MBS Studios to discuss current projects and opportunities for increased collaboration.
Speaking about the trade mission, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin T.D. said:
“Ireland has a history of strong links with the creative screen industry in Los Angeles. The purpose of this mission is to build on these links by updating key industry partners on the continued evolution and success of the sector in Ireland, the strength and potential for growth in Irish VFX, planned additional production infrastructure as well as the ongoing Government support for the industry.
The launch of the new Where to Watch platform is evidence of the strength of the Irish screen industry. I hope families all over the world will utilise this new platform to connect to this piece of home.”
Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, said:
“The Irish VFX sector is renowned for creative innovation and outstanding technical expertise, which has led to strong partnerships with the world's leading content companies. We believe there is significant potential for further growth through showcasing the calibre of work and building new international relationships.
Irish film, TV and animation talent have had incredible success in recent years, creating world class stories and exploring Irish culture on screen. National cinema in the Irish language is being redefined through critically acclaimed films such as An Cailín Ciúin. Screen Ireland is working to ensure these important cultural stories are produced and enjoyed by audiences all over the world.”
To access the Where to Watch platform, click here: www.wheretowatchireland.com