27/09/2011

Ireland’s Audiovisual Federation has launched its annual review of film and television production covering 261 projects completed in 2010 and the results are very positive. Total production value, including film, television and expenditure on industry goods and services, more than doubled to €387.9 million, much more than 2009's €144.6 million, €20.9 million greater than projected.

Kevin Moriarty, managing director of Ardmore Studios and chairman of the Audiovisual Federation committee that produced the report, said, “2010 has been a record year for the Irish film and television industry, a sector that continues to make a significant contribution to the Irish economy. In competing for and attracting mobile investment to Ireland the sector generated economic activity and made a contribution of €170.8 million to the exchequer. In 2010 the sector provided 1,695 full-time equivalent jobs.

The ability of the industry to maintain this level of activity despite economic circumstances has been made possible by the decision of the Government to provide the necessary amendments to the Section 481 film tax relief scheme in the Finance Act 2009 to restore competitiveness. Government support, through Section 481 and the Irish Film Board, continues to be essential.

The impact of the Government amendments to Section 481 together with the Irish Film Board’s funding support enables Ireland to attract many international television productions which have an important impact on the sector such as Haywire, Albert Nobbs [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] and This Must be the Place [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Paolo Sorrentino
film profile].”