Bord Scannan na hEireann/the Irish Film Board launched its 'Production Review 2003' last night in the presence of Mr John O'Donoghue T.D, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism and members of the Irish film industry. This annual publication acts as an important review of the year and previews new Irish Film Board-backed films, documentaries, television series, animation and shorts currently in production.
The Irish Film Board celebrated its 10th anniversary of reconstitution in 2003 which itself proved to be a landmark year for the industry. Irish audiences embraced Irish films like never before with 'Intermission' becoming the 6th biggest film of the year and the highest-ever grossing BSE/IFB-backed film at the Irish box office. Other films which were released this year included 'Song for a Raggy Boy', 'Spin the Bottle' and from today 'Mystics' starring veterans Milo O'Shea and David Kelly.
2003 was also an important year for inward production with Ireland playing host to 'King Arthur', the largest inward production in the history of the State with a budget of over EUR100 million.
The year ended on a high note with the Budget announcement that the film tax incentive, Section 481 has been extended to 2008 and that, from 2005, the cap on the level of investment which can be raised is being increased from EUR10.48million to EUR15million. The tax incentive was originally due to expire in December 2004.
