Government Urged To Restore €20m Funding For The Irish Film Board

Screen Producers Ireland has called for a return to pre-2008 rates of support for the Irish Film Board.

Before the recession hit, the IFB had a budget of €20 million from the government. Over the last eight years that figure has been slashed by 44 per cent, leaving their current budget at €11.2 million to support film, TV and animation projects.

Screen Producers Ireland is a members organisation that promotes the growth and sustainability of a working environment conducive to a strong independent production sector. They're a voice for 130 different independent film, television, animation and digital producers in Ireland.

SPI has alerted the government that if it does not increase its funding for Irish film projects, vital employment opportunities could be lost.

“It is crucial that Irish Film Board funding is restored to €20 million so that Irish producers can compete on a level playing field with their international counterparts,” said SPI chief executive Barbara Galavant to the Irish Times.

“Supporting all forms of on screen production has important economic, cultural and tourism benefits and must be prioritised.”