20/03/2009

Veteran Producer and the first ever Chief Executive of the Irish Film Board (IFB), Michael Algar, has been appointed as the head of the High Point Media Group, Ireland.

During his term at the IFB Algar represented Ireland at film forums in the European Union and the Council of Europe. He was one of the architects of Irish co-production treaties with Canada and New Zealand and a founding member of the Irish Film and Television Academy.

Algar’s appointment reflects High Point’s increasing interest in Irish cinema as demonstrated in their catalogue that includes Tom Collins’ Kings (Newgrange Productions), Declan Recks’ Eden [+see also:
trailer
interview: Declan Recks
film profile] (Samson Films) and André F. Nebe’s forthcoming The Race (Grand Pictures). The company plans to acquire more Irish films for international sales and is also planning to use its relationships in the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy to foster Irish co-productions with other European producers.

Algar said, “I am delighted to be joining the High Point team. They have demonstrated clear support and enthusiasm for Irish product over the years, and now from the advantage of a Dublin base, I look forward to taking that involvement further still.”

High Point Managing Director Carey Fitzgerald said, “We see Ireland as the gateway to Europe and not just because of the Euro-zone but also because there’s a lot of good-will towards Ireland. Government Tax breaks (Section 481) make Ireland an attractive proposition for investors.”