Spending by film and television productions on Irish goods and services fell to an estimated €360m from a record €500m in 2021, but remained ahead of pre-pandemic levels, Screen Ireland has said.
On the back of a bumper crop of Oscar nominations for Ireland, the state development agency for television, film and animation said projects it had support had garnered 150 awards and nominations in the past year.
Screen Ireland also unveiled its 2023 production slate of 44 projects, include nine films, three animation series, eight TV dramas, 13 documentaries, and seven short films.
Among them is Once and Sing Street director John Carney's Flora and Son, starring Eve Hewson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jack Reynor, which was recently acquired by Apple following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
Speaking at the launch, Carney said: “It’s beautiful to see a small Island nation come up against the giant of Hollywood through years of seeding and financing talent.
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"To see our actors, directors, writers and producers accepted and celebrated overseas in numerous festivals, theatres, and awards, is a testament to arts funding, and would be next to impossible without support and cultivation of talent.
"In the film business particularly, be wary of anyone who tells you they’ve done it on their own. It’s an art form that is simply impossible without generous support.”
TV dramas coming to screen this year include Element Pictures' The Dry, which will air on RTÉ in March; the Charlene McKenna-starring Clean Sweep, due for broadcast later this year; and returning series Kin and Smother.
Ger O'Rourke's Ukraine-set Sanatorium is among the documentary highlights and Atom Town, a STEM-focused educational children's show based on the periodic table, leads the pack of animated TV series in 2023.
A new campaign to promote the supports to the industry was launched featuring animations from storyboard artist and director Ian McCaffrey and voiceover by Colin Farrell.
"There is a wide range of productions coming to audiences in the year ahead, which are a testament to all the creative talent that worked on them," said Désirée Finnegan, CEO of Screen Ireland.
"We’re also particularly proud to support and raise awareness for Minding Creative Minds across the industry. The incredible Academy Awards nominations news last week is a further reminder of the impact that this sector can have, with Irish creative talent being recognised amongst the best in the world.”
A recent report from Olsberg SPI indicated that 89% of incoming production expenditure can be attributed to Section 481 tax breaks.
Screen Ireland also announced details of a €3.5m Regional Support Fund, designed to develop skills outside of Dublin and Wicklow and targeted at crew across all grades.
Photo (l-r): Susan Bergin; Colm Bairéad, director of An Cailín Ciúin; Désirée Finnegan, and Cleona Ni Chruaolai, producer of An Cailín Ciúin. (Pic: Julien Behal)
