The Minister for Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms. Sile De Valera, will lead a film sector trade visit to Toronto during the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
Focusing on the film co-production treaty which exists between Ireland and Canada the trip is intended to identify and develop projects to take advantage of this.
Ireland currently holds co-production agreements with two countries, Canada and Australia. The Canadian agreement was set up in 1989 and the Australian in 1998. Since then approximately 5 films have been produced or are currently in production for each country agreement, according to the Department.
Under the agreement these co-productions are considered to be national productions in each of the countries and the film authorities in both countries use their best efforts to ensure that the co-producers enjoy as far as possible all legal and financial benefits available. International visits such as these are considered an integral part of the strategy to promote the agreements. A visit to Australia was hosted by the Department last November, and another is hoped to be organised for later this year.
By Gary Quinn
