We at Film Ireland are deeply saddened to hear that Windmill Lane Post Production and VFX has closed its doors. This marks a devastating loss for the Irish film industry and the creative community at large.
Founded in 1978, Windmill Lane began as a recording studio and TV commercial post-production facility, with James Morris—who later established TV3—among its founders. Over the years, Windmill Lane Pictures became a vital hub, contributing post-production expertise to an array of films, TV shows, and commercials. Their credits include Irish cinematic classics like Brooklyn, Black ’47, and Lakelands, as well as popular series such as Kin, Vikings, The Tourist, and Penny Dreadful.
We extend our heartfelt sympathies to their wonderful team—Abby Greene, Deborah Doherty, Ali Neary, as well as interim CEO Catherine Synnott—and everyone who made Windmill Lane such a welcoming place. This is an awful experience that unfortunately, we know and understand well, and our thoughts are with them all. Beyond their remarkable achievements as an organisation, and work on major international and local productions, Windmill Lane was a cornerstone of the screen industry community. They championed emerging filmmakers, supported organisations like us, SDGI and WFT Ireland and created a central space where industry creatives could gather, share ideas, and foster collaboration.
This closure reminds us of other key institutions in recent years, such as Filmbase, the Cork Film Centre and just recently the Pálás Cinema. The Still Voices Film Festival remains an empty slot on our calendar that we miss greatly. Now, as such a longstanding contributor to the screen industries shuts their doors for the last time, we call for greater support and protection for the spaces and institutions that sustain and celebrate our community. As individuals too, we can take small but impactful steps: support Irish film by attending your local arthouse cinema, go to festivals big and small, bring your family to see indigenous titles like The Magic Reindeer, and make your voice heard with your local representatives. The arts are a vital sign of a thriving society, and they deserve our advocacy and consideration.
Our thoughts are with the entire Windmill Lane staff during this incredibly challenging time. Their loss is felt by all of us.
The Film Ireland Team
