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With an overall output amounting to €320.2m, covering a total of 179 productions, 2003 was a record year for production in the Irish Audiovisual Sector, according to the Audiovisual Federation Review 2004.
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This was a 68% increase over the 2002 figure of €190.9m and was largely due to the high spend blockbusters, Jerry Bruckheimer’s production of ‘King Arthur’, ‘Laws of Attraction’ which stared Pierce Brosnan and 2 other significant co-productions, ‘Asylum’ and ‘Tristan and Isolde’. Independent TV productions also continued to rise with an output of €47.8m in 2003 compared to €44.2m in 2002. These included the drama series in RTE’s ‘The Clinic’ and ‘Proof’ as well as the ongoing successful series ‘Ros na Run’ from TG4.
Mr James Flynn of Octagon Films and Chairman of the Audiovisual Federations Film Financing Committee, stated that the most significant milestone of 2003 was the renewal of Section 481 film financing incentive. The 2003 review showed that the net return to the Irish Exchequer showed a positive return of €30m. This took into account the spend of film production in Ireland which generated taxes whilst allowing for the taxes forgone under Section 481 investment. Mr Flynn stated that due to the uncertainty surrounding Section 481 there had been an initial slow start to production in 2004. The estimate overall output from the sector for 2004 stood at €159m, which was a downturn on 2003. This was largely due to the weakened dollar, which affected Hollywood studio projects coming to Europe generally and impacted on Irish production. However, the second half of 2004 did pick up considerably and major film feature productions included Paramount’s, ‘The Honeymooners’, Neil Jordan’s ‘Breakfast on Pluto’ and Telemunchen’s ‘Tara Road’.
The animation sector also had its highest output ever, valued at €28.1m. Productions included the Emmy award winning ‘Tutenstein’.
Tommy Mc Cabe, Director of the Audiovisual Federation stated that while 2003 was a very satisfactory year, in terms of output for the sector, the decline in blockbuster films in 2004 had a impact. Whilst recognising the increased output from both RTE and TG4 in the independent TV sector and the increased level of indigenous productions which have received support from the Irish Film Board, there was a need for further measures by both Government and Industry working together to ensure that Ireland remains competitive going forward.
Under the aegis of the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Mr John O’Donoghue, TD a number of initiatives have commenced, these include:
• An increase in the Irish Film Boards capital budget by 18% for 2005.
• A detailed consultation process between the revenue commissioners and Screen Producers Ireland prior to the issuance of new certification guidelines for Section 481 in early 2005.
• The commencement of formal negotiations between Screen Producers Ireland and the unions regarding the establishment of a film industry agreement early in the New Year.
The Audiovisual Federation has also endorsed the proposal to Government to Minister O’Donoghue that the PWC Report on Section 481 recommendations should be taken on board. In particular, the lifting of the 66% and 55% cap on the level of Irish expenditure that qualifies for Section 481 funding, which act as incentives to increase the spend in Ireland.
The compilation of the report was drawn up by a Steering Committee comprising of representatives from the Audiovisual Federation, the Irish Film Board, RTE, TG4, Screen Producers Ireland, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, Ardmore Studios and the Animation Sector.
Download a copy of the 2004 AV Film Report Here.
