Valuable Irish Luxembourg Co-production Deal Signed at the Galway Film Fleadh
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan and his Luxembourg counterpart Minister for Communications and Media François Biltgen have signed the first Irish Luxembourg Co-production Treaty at the Galway Film Fleadh this week.The Treaty aims to increase production between the two countries enabling both to benefit from joint access to the government's incentives and subsidies, as well as access to local markets and the opportunity to pool industry resources.
Commenting on the Treaty signing Minister Deenihan said "In an increasingly difficult economic environment, the film and television industry can help to create new jobs and spend on goods and services in Ireland. Co-production is of vital importance to the financing of the majority of Irish films and television production in Ireland, as well to the overall growth of the industry. For a country the size of Ireland there is no better way in which to raise international investment for projects of scale and it is fundamental to the way the industry is structured. Ireland is a small territory and it is difficult to finance in this market alone. Luxembourg has proved to be a very supportive partner to Ireland and we look forward to working together on many Irish and Luxembourg films."
Luxembourg Minister for Communications and Media François Biltgen said "Sixteen years of bilateral collaboration and friendship have been the RUNWAY for signing this Treaty which will hopefully bring long-lasting partnership between our two countries."
Recent Luxembourg Irish co-productions include THE RUNWAY which was produced by Fastnet Films and released in Irish cinemas last month. LOVE ETERNAL , to be directed by Brendan Muldowney (SAVAGE), is another Irish Luxembourg co-production which is set to go into production in August.
The signing was attended by Irish actor Brendan Gleeson who is currently developing a feature film AT SWIM TWO BIRDS which is to be co-produced by Irish company Parallel Films and Luxembourg producer Jani Thiltes. AT SWIM TWO BIRDS has an offer of support from both Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board and Film Fund Luxembourg and is currently at financing stage. A a large number of Irish and Luxembourg producers who were attending the Galway Film Fleadh, were also at the signing.
European co-production also brings creates cultural benefits allowing for the increased exploitation of Irish films in our co-production territories and growing international audiences for Irish stories.
Luxembourg has a stable and long running film and television industry. Co-production activity between Ireland and Luxembourg has only begun recently but there are many opportunities to be exploited in this area.