Jonathan Loughran Finishes Up as Senior Vice President of the Irish Film Commission US
After six years as Senior Vice President of the Irish Film Commission US, part of the Irish Film Board, Jonathan Loughran is leaving his post when his contract expires to set up a new production company ArtCastle with Irish filmmaker Gary Shore. The Irish Film Board will be continuing its presence in LA and is in the process of putting in place a new set of arrangements so that it can continue to encourage inward investment in film and television productions to Ireland as well as supporting the development of the Irish talent there. The office has relocated to 8265 Sunset Blvd, Suite 100 in West Hollywood and contact should be made with Naoise Barry in the Dublin office pending the new arrangements being put in place.
The Irish Film Board's LA office was opened in 2006 and Jonathan was the first Senior Vice President. It helped attract over $185m worth of North American productions and IFB-funded projects earned 10 Academy Award nominations as well as multiple Emmy, Independent Spirit and Golden Globe wins and nominations. Jonathan played a particularly key role in securing projects to shoot in Ireland such as Glenn Close's multi-Oscar nominated Albert Nobbs (the IFB's most Oscar nominated film), Steven Soderbergh's Haywire (the IFB's highest grossing film at the US box office) starring Michael Fassbender, Mike Dowse's The F Word starring Daniel Radcliffe, the Ridley and Tony Scott's Cracks, Stay, A Shine of Rainbows, The Aquabats and Camelot.
In March 2012 Jonathan was honoured by the City of Los Angeles at a ceremony in City Hall as one of the Irishmen of the Year for his contribution to Irish culture in North America and was recently named as one of the Hollywood 50 by the ITLG at a ceremony on the Sony Pictures lot alongside legendary producer Kathy Kennedy and filmmakers Gary Shore, Kirsten Sheridan and Ciaran Foy. Jonathan co-founded the LA Irish Film Festival in 2008 with Lisa McLaughlin to promote Irish film and filmmakers in the US as well as regular networking events for Irish filmmakers living in and visiting LA and securing representation for Irish talent with LA agencies.
James Hickey, Chief Executive, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board said: "Jonathan has spent six very productive years with the IFB during which time he made a huge contribution to the Irish film industry. He has been a valuable and a highly regarded member of staff so it is with the warmest personal regards that we wish Jonathan every success with his new venture".
Speaking about his departure Jonathan said: " I have greatly enjoyed the past six years running the IFB's LA office and am looking forward to continuing my close relationship with Ireland and the IFB through my new venture ArtCastle".