Bord Scannaín na hÉireann/Irish Film Board is to be known as Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland.
Annie Doona, Chair of Screen Ireland, has stated that the name “reflects the evolution of screen storytelling as well as our ambition and vision for the future of Ireland’s film and screen sector. It is indicative of a more inclusive and representative name for both the Irish creative talent working on storytelling on screen and audiences for this work.
“Earlier this year, the Irish Government announced their commitment of an investment of €200 million in media production and the Irish audio-visual industry and this unprecedented commitment will further consolidate Screen Ireland’s efforts to fully realise the ambitions of Pillar 4 of Creative Ireland, which is to make Ireland a global centre of excellence for media production.
“Operating under Screen Ireland allows the agency to wholly fulfil its expanding remit and to support Irish creative talent in new and exciting ways, so that our uniquely Irish stories can reach further than ever before.”
The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, TD said: “The name Screen Ireland/Fís Éireann will reflect the broader remit of the agency as the promoter of the Irish film, TV and animation sector. Thanks to the increased Government support for the Irish audio-visual industry, €200m over 10 years, which was announced as part of Project Ireland 2040, Screen Ireland will continue to support and nurture Irish talent by funding the development, production and distribution of the screen content industry.”
James Hickey, Chief Executive of FE/SI added: “The driving force behind the Irish Film Board was to support and nurture diverse Irish creative filmmaking talent and this is something to which Screen Ireland will remain strongly and unequivocally committed. Supporting the development and production of creative talent telling stories in cinemas, on television and online remains the agency’s number one priority.
“There is an international revolution happening within the audio-visual sector and the traditional, clear distinction between feature films in cinemas and drama on television has now evolved into a more complex environment, largely driven by a host of new internet platforms, alongside the continued success of the traditional film and TV industry. Thanks to the increased Government support for the Irish audio-visual industry, announced as part of Project Ireland 2040, Screen Ireland will be able to facilitate and support Irish voices and their stories in Ireland and on the international stage on traditional and emerging platforms.
“It is estimated there are more than 17,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the Irish audio-visual sector and the gross value added of the sector exceeds €1 billion annually. Detailed figures are expected to be published shortly in the Department-commissioned Olsberg SPI Report, which will provide a strategic framework for the development of the industry over the next five years.
“Screen Ireland will be at the heart of these developments and we look forward to working closely with our stakeholders to capitalise on the growth opportunities within the sector and to provide support, encouragement and nurturing to Irish creative talent to ensure this vision becomes a reality.
