Irish Film Industry Excels

The Audiovisual Federation, the IBEC group that represents the feature film, television and animation sectors, has launched its 2011 review of film and television production in Ireland.

The report covers 261 productions completed in Ireland in 2010, with a total production value of €387.9 million: a significant increase of €144.6 million on 2009 and €20.9 million greater than projected. Overall expenditure on Irish goods and services, the key driver for domestic employment and income, amounted to €204.7 million, the highest recorded figure for the sector.

Feature films along with independent television and major television drama production recorded an increase of 100% from €185.7 million in 2009 to €358.2 million in 2010. Although the total production value for animation dropped, a number of significant projects are currently in production, which will be reflected, in next year's report. Major feature film productions in 2010 included 'This Must be the Place', 'Haywire' and 'The Last Furlong'.

Kevin Moriarty, Managing Director of Ardmore Studios and Chairman of the Audiovisual Federation committee that produced the report, said: "2010 has been a record year for the Irish film and television industry, a sector that continues to make a significant contribution to the Irish economy.

"In competing for and attracting mobile investment to Ireland the sector generated economic activity and made a contribution of €170.8 million to the exchequer. In 2010 the sector provided 1,695 full-time equivalent jobs.

"The ability of the industry to maintain this level of activity despite economic circumstances has been made possible by the decision of the Government to provide the necessary amendments to the Section 481 film tax relief scheme in the Finance Act 2009 to restore competitiveness. Government support, through Section 481 and the Irish Film Board, continues to be essential," he added.

"The impact of the Government amendments to Section 481 together with the Irish Film Board's funding support enables Ireland to attract many international television productions which have an important impact on the sector such as Steven Soderberg's 'Haywire', 'Albert Nobbs' starring Glenn Close, and 'This Must be the Place' starring Sean Penn.

"Domestically, the funding by RTE, TG4, TV3 and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland continues to play an integral role in the development of the independent television sector. Major TV dramas included 'Single Handed', 'Operation Transformation', and 'Ros na Rún'," concluded Mr Moriarty.

(BMcC)