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What is Bord Scannán na hÉireann / Irish Film Board?

Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) is the national development agency for the Irish film industry investing in talent, creativity and enterprise. The agency supports and promotes the Irish film industry and the use of Ireland as a location for international production. 

The IFB was reconstituted in April 1993 under the Film Board Act 1980, and was amended in 1993, 1997, 2000, 2006 and 2011. The annual budget for the IFB is voted annually by Dáil Éireann and has a capital budget of €11.898 million in 2013. Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board is under the aegis of Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht.

What does the Bord Scannán na hÉireann / Irish Film Board do?

Our role sees us directly involved in the creative process of Irish films from script to screen. We provide investment for the development, production and release of Irish feature films, television, animation, documentaries and short films. You can download a diagram from our website that will show exactly where the IFB funding is invested.

This funding process has helped Irish Film Board projects to earn international recognition at the highest international levels, scooping  more than 150 awards at the world’s major A-list film festivals, including Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Sundance, Tribeca and Toronto.

The Film Commission arm of the agency attracts direct inward investment by assisting international producers with their needs while on location in Ireland. The Location Services Unit provides comprehensive information about all aspects of filming in Ireland, from tax incentives to locations, casting, crews, equipment and facilities.

What is the economic worth of the audiovisual industry?

Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) is a key investor in the film and television content production industry which sits at the heart of this new Creative Knowledge Economy and therefore represents an important value proposition for Ireland.

Results from an industry survey carried out by PWC in 2008 identify the Irish audio-visual sector as a key industry for growth, revealing that the sector is valued at over €557.3 million, employs over 6,000 individuals and represents 0.3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). To find out more information on the value of the audiovisual industry read the full survey report.

In 2010, the Irish film and television sector had a record year in terms of production, generating €225 million in spend in the Irish economy creating jobs and spend on local good and services.  This was an increase from €157.2 million in 2009.

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