Funding Awards for the First and Second Quarter 2013 Announced
Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB), the national development agency for the Irish audio-visual industry, today announced its most recent funding loan awards from the period January - June 2013.
In a significant investment in the indigenous film, television and animation industry, the IFB awards will ensure Ireland's continued growth in this key sector, providing vital support and allowing Irish production companies to raise international market investment for their projects. Ireland's audio-visual is widely recognised as a significant economic contributor generating over 6000 full time equivalent Irish jobs.
Highlights of the funding awards announced today include a strong investment in Ireland's
thriving animation industry; support for a number of Irish feature film projects going into pre-production and production stages this summer; the development of a wide number of projects from emerging and existing filmmakers, along with a strong line-up of exciting feature documentaries.
Commenting on the announcement today, James Hickey, Chief Executive, Bord Scannán na
hÉireann/ the Irish Film Board said: "There is an impressive and wide range of projects in receipt of funding loan awards for the first six months of this year. The aim of the Irish Film Board is to invest in Irish creative talent and innovation by supporting productions which will represent Ireland around the globe, and will raise direct foreign investment providing a boost to the Irish economy in terms of jobs and spend on local good and services."
Mr Hickey went on to say "It is worth noting that in 2012 the IFB invested €10.5 million
in a wide range of projects, of which 30 feature films went into production, resulting
in €80m spend in the Irish economy. These projects in receipt of IFB funding
raised over €118m in foreign direct investment."
Investment in the animation industry includes the project "Puffin Rock", a pre-school series set on a beautiful island inhabited by puffins, from the Oscar nominated animation studio Cartoon Saloon based in Kilkenny. The series is to be directed by Paul Young, usually in a producer role at Cartoon Saloon. Other innovative animation projects in receipt of funding include the ‘Newsbag' series, an ambitious foray into the world of animated adult comedy series for the newly established Icehouse Media. The IFB is also supporting a record amount of animation projects in early stages of development, many of which have been accepted into this year's prestigious Cartoon Forum, set up to raise international finance for animated content.
The IFB aims to ensure strong levels of live action production activity and funding awards announced today include "Patrick's Day" from director Terry McMahon, who previously directed the controversial film "Charlie Casanova", "The Canal" directed by Ivan Kavanagh which is currently in production and ‘The Ranger' to be directed by the multi award winning cinematographer PJ Dillon whose credits include ‘Game of Thrones' and ‘Ripper Street'. Co-written by PJ Dillon, Eugene O'Brien and Pierce Ryan, "The Ranger" is a dark and compelling story of revenge, set in 1840's Ireland. Dillon previously directed ‘Rewind' starring Amy Huberman through the IFB Catalyst project training scheme.
Projects in development with established Irish directors and writers include a screenplay
of the award winning novel ‘Brooklyn' to be directed by John Crowley (‘Intermission'), Jim Sheridan's project ‘The Great Storm' and ‘The Delinquent Season' written and to be directed by Mark O'Rowe.
The IFB is also developing a number of projects from emerging writers and directors including the next feature film from Gerard Barrett (IFTA Rising Star who directed the low budget hit film ‘Pilgrim Hill') entitled ‘Glassland' with funding from Film Four; and a sequel to the hit comedy "The Hardy Bucks Movie" which was released by Universal Pictures Ireland earlier this year, based on a script which see the boys travel to Australia on their usual exploits.
The IFB has also invested in a strong line-up of six documentary feature films including ‘Rough Rider' which will tell the story of Irish sports journalist Paul Kimmage and his controversial quest to find honesty and hope inside of the most physically and mentally demanding race on the planet, the Tour de France.
Creative Co-productions in receipt of IFB funding include Ken Loach's film "Jimmy's Hall"
which tells the story of Leitrim man Jimmy Gralton and "Miss Julie" starring Colin Farrell and Jessica Chastain which filmed in Co. Fermanagh earlier this year.
The funding awards announced today represent the decisions made by the IFB Board between
January 2013 and June 2013.
For a full list of funding awards with production company details visit the Funding Decisions Section of this website