Northern Ireland Screen has marked 20 years of the Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF) with a special celebration event on Tuesday.
NI Screen said the fund "has played a transformative role in the Irish-speaking independent production sector since its launch in 2005."
BAFTA and IFTA award-winning Kneecap director Rich Peppiatt was the keynote speaker at Tuesday's event, held at Belfast City Hall, where speakers reflected on the impact of the fund, followed by an industry panel discussion exploring the future of Irish language broadcasting across the island of Ireland.
Since its inception, the fund has supported 571 Irish-language productions across television and film; as well as training and mentoring 140 trainees, many of whom are now leading figures in Irish language broadcasting including director and writer Damian McCann, producers ?rfhlaith N? Chearnaigh, Rosie McNally, Aideen Hand, Sorcha Nic Eochag?in and Aoife Nic Con Midhe, editors Sorcha Nic Giolla Mhuire, Oonagh N? Mheall?in, Christy Scoltock and Se?n ? Cearbhaill and presenters Proinsias ? Coinn, Niamh N? Dhubhg?in and Aodh?n ? Baoill.
Feature films made with funding from the ILBF include Kings, Seacht, An Bronntanas, Doineann, Kneecap and Cr?.
Documentaries include Rocky Ros Muc, Eoin Mac N?ill, Lomax in ?irinn, An Buachaill Gealgh?ireach, N?os M? na Cluiche and D?olta Faoina Luach. Children?s content includes Sol, Puffin Rock agus Cairde Nua, M?Ainm, Mo Sc?al and L? Ban. Entertainment series include Gradam Ceoil, Opry le Daniel, Ar an Sliabh, Peata?, Turas B?thair, Kayak ? Thuaidh, Bog Amach and ?ada? SOS.
Reflecting on the success of the fund, ?ine Walsh, Head of the ILBF, said:
?The Irish Language Broadcast Fund has been a driving force in the development of the Irish language production sector in Northern Ireland. Over the past 20 years, we have seen the industry grow exponentially, with ILBF-supported productions gaining national and international recognition. The fund has also been pivotal in ensuring that the Ulster dialect of Irish is given prominence on screens, particularly on TG4 and RT?.?
The ILBF is funded by DCMS via the British Film Institute and by the Irish Government?s Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media.
For more information about the ILBF and its work, visit www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk.
