05/07/2016 - ‘Building on Success’ document identifies three pillars for future growth

John Carney's Sing Street was just one of Ireland's recent global hits

The Irish Film Board (IFB) has launched a five-year strategic plan detailing its role within the thriving Irish film, television and animation industry, which is outlined in the document ‘Building on Success’. Ireland has seen a string of global hits including Room [+see also:
film review
trailer
making of
film profile], Brooklyn [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], Sing Street [+see also:
trailer
film profile], Love & Friendship [+see also:
trailer
film profile], Song of the Sea [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Tomm Moore
film profile] and The Lobster [+see also:
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Q&A: Yorgos Lanthimos
film profile], which have taken more than $140 million worldwide, with admissions soaring over 18 million. The wider audiovisual sector employs some 6,000 people in Ireland at present, generating over €0.5 billion for the economy. The strategic plan has been developed to support this ambition with three key pillars identified in the ‘Building on Success' document. These are: Vision for 2020, Building on Core Strengths, and Strong Foundations.

Vision for 2020: The IFB will promote an overall vision for the industry, focusing on providing strong industry leadership; working with the government and the wider industry to provide a coherent public-sector approach to the development of the sector; achieving a target of 50/50 gender parity in creative talent working in screen content; and positioning audiences as a central part of the work they support. 

Building on Core Strengths: Targets under this pillar include the creation of a new position of head of creative production and talent development to provide artistic and creative leadership in support of screen production, and maximising opportunities for the improved Section 481 tax incentive; as well as developing talent and skills through training initiatives to meet the growing needs of the sector. 

Strong Foundations: Goals under this pillar include seeking increased funding from all potential avenues, including contributions from public-service broadcasters and content distributors to Irish film and screen storytelling content; and continuing in the creation and nurturing of partnerships with stakeholders, including foreign direct investment agency IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets, and  other public film-funding agencies and private-sector funders such as distributors and broadcasters.

IFB funding has been systematically reduced since the 2008 recession, and the body’s immediate goal is to see that it is restored to €20 million. Chairperson designate of the IFB Dr Annie Doona said, “In the last 18 months alone, Irish filmmakers and animators have achieved worldwide success, and by setting ambitious targets for ourselves in this strategy, we will deliver the necessary foundations to build on that success. Central to us being able to do this is the full restoration of IFB funding to its pre-recession levels. While we welcome the commitment given by the government in the Programme for Partnership for Government, we are urging them not to delay and to invest appropriately in Ireland's creative talent in Budget 2017, so that we can realise the full potential of the sector for both cultural and economic benefit.”