The Kerry Screen Commission was launched last Monday (26/04/99)
The Kerry Screen Commission was launched last Monday (26/04/99) by Sile deValere, T.D. Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
The Kerry Screen Commission feels the timing of the launch is ideal to capitalise on an area of proven growth in TV and film production and to link in to the strategies of the Screen Commission of Ireland, a state agency promoting Ireland as a film location internationally. The Kerry Screen ommission was represented at the Screen Commission of Irelands launch in Los Angeles in February.
The Kerry Screen Commission will actively promote and market Kerry to attract film & television productions to the region. It will assist production companies by providing comprehensive information about all aspects of filming in the County including access, accommodation, locations, personnel and facilities.
The Commission has developed a strong plan which includes retaining the services of a film professional - Michaela Connolly, setting up a we site - www.iftn.ie/kerry-screen-comm, producing a brochure for international promotion, and a national and international press campaign.
The Kerry Screen Commission will maintain and build on the momentum of film making in Kerry. The Screen Commission recently assisted Parzival Productions in making 'Most Important' starring Colm Meany. The director, Kerryman PJ Dillion, won the Best First Time Director Award at the 1999 Celtic Film Festival.
Kerry has a rich tradition of film making and the associated arts. As far back as 1910 'The Kalems' were made in Beaufort - 70 full length silent movies for KLM, a Los Angeles based movie company, 'The Dawn' was a famous 1930's film made in Kerry. Maurice Walsh's 'The Quite Man' & John B Keane's play of 'The Field' and novel 'Durango' have been filmed in the County. David Lean shot 'Ryan's Daughter' in the Dingle Peninsula, John Boorman's 'Excaliber' was partially shot in Catherdaniel and more recently 'Far & Away' with Tom Cruise was partially shot in Kerry.
Kerry can offer a stunning range of locations and services and has the benefit of a strong infrastructure including Kerry airport and unrivalled accommodation & facilities.
While the short term is to attract incoming productions to the region, the commissions long term goal is to foster indigenous film making and develop training and support structures in this industry. The office for the Kerry Screen Commission will be located at the Kerry Literary and Cultural Centre in Listowel. The Cultural Centre which will open later this year will provide assistance and encouragement to all types of cultural and artistic endeavours in Kerry.
The Board members of the Kerry Screen Commission comprises of a cross section of film & television professionals from Kerry alongside representatives from the County Agencies involved with economic development including:
Kevin Moriarty : - (Chair), MD Ardmore Studios
Michaela Connolly : - (Chief Executive), The Kerry Screen Commission
Dan Collins : - Media & Communications consultant
Paul Dolan : - Fas - Head of Video Production - Tralee
John Given : - A&L Goodbody
Dan Hare : - Editor 'In Production'
Frank Lewis : - Frank Lewis PR
John Lynch : - Film Director
Aine Moriarty : - MD IFTN
Declan Murphy: - Cork Kerry Tourism
Brian O'Connor : - Institute Of Technology
Kerry County Council
Jimmy Deenihan TD : - Kerry Literary & Cultural Centre
Ogie Moran : - Shannon Development
Risteard MacGearailt : - Udaras na Gaeltachta
Chairman, Kevin Moriary, has been involved in film industry for over twenty five years. Currently Managing Director of Ardmore Studios, he is a Board Member of the Film Institute of Ireland, an executive Committee member of Film Makers Ireland, a member of the Audiovisual Production Federation of IBEC and the Screen Commission of Ireland. Kevin has also been appointed by the Minister of Arts Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands to a 'Think Tank' which is to formulate a strategic plan for the future of the Film Industry to the next decade.
Chief Executive, Michaela Connolly, has been involved in film and television for over a decade, formerly Commissioning Editor for film & video at EMI in London, Michaela has been working as a freelance producer/director in Kerry on a variety of film and television projects for the last five years as well as establishing her own production company - Michaela Connolly Productions in Ventry, Co. Kerry.
