2023 in Numbers: Steady Production Levels Despite Global Disruption, New Talent, Sustainability and More
Posted: 24th January 2024
Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland today released its production figures for 2023 – a year marked by phenomenal international acclaim for the screen industry, when Irish film became a focal point for the Academy Awards last March, gaining a record-breaking 14 nominations for Irish projects and creatives.
Last year, Screen Ireland-supported projects garnered 124 awards and 178 nominations in total.
Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, commented from the Screen Ireland 2024 Slate launch:
Last year was an outstanding year for the Irish film industry and today we are delighted to launch Screen Ireland’s 2024 Slate of Productions. With over 40 projects across feature film, documentary, animation and TV drama in our line-up, we are incredibly proud to have supported such a diverse range of Irish storytelling.
Screen Ireland has long championed a dual approach to industry growth, significantly increasing investment in local domestic production while also attracting large-scale international projects into the country. Both are essential to a thriving screen industry.
We are very proud that local production remained strong amidst global industry uncertainty last year. We look forward to bringing these new Irish stories, our language and our culture to audiences worldwide in 2024. It is a testament to the strength of Irish filmmaking and the skill and passion of all those working across the screen industry.”
Screen Ireland figures show that, in 2023, there was a total screen industry production spend in the Irish economy across local goods and services of €322 million – despite high levels of international disruption due to industry strikes.
Screen Ireland support goes hand in hand with the development of a sustainable industry across the country, with 41% of Screen Ireland-supported projects shooting partially or fully in counties outside established production hubs of Dublin and Wicklow in 2023.
Susan Bergin, Chair of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland said:
On behalf of the Board and staff of Screen Ireland, we’re delighted to launch our 2024 Production Slate, as well as a look back at what a phenomenal achievement 2023 was in terms of the Irish industry’s global reputation and acclaim. Our priorities remain to support skills development nationwide, the nurturing of new talent and voices, and funding Irish screen stories across film, television and animation.”
Ensuring that opportunities are accessible for all is a key focus in Screen Ireland’s Strategic Plan, Building For A Creative Future. In 2023, 38% of 2023 projects were led by new and emerging filmmakers.