Cork City and County Councils announced their plans yesterday, February 21st as to the establishment of a Cork Screen Commission. The launch marks an immediate investment of €100,000 in the region’s indigenous film industry and the Commission will act as the primary point of contact for companies working or intending to work on location in Cork.
The Cork Screen Commission will be managed by Cork Film Centre, on behalf of the City and County Councils. The body will have its headquarters at the old Gunpowder Mills Centre in Ballincollig, Cork.
In an interview late last year with IFTN Mayor of Co. Cork, Cllr. Jim Daly described the establishment of the Cork Screen Commission as being “top of the priority list” and voiced his awareness as to the importance of such a body: ”This is a business proposition,” he told us. ”All of Cork, particularly West Cork can see the benefits.”
Further to this view, a release from the Cork Screen Commission explains that the Irish film and television sector has been identified as a key economic contributor by the Government Smart Economy Report, noting that, ”in 2010, the Irish film and television sector had a record year in terms of production, generating €225 million for the Irish economy, creating jobs and spend on local goods and services.”
The newly formed Cork Screen Commission’s key roles are three-fold and will encompass actively marketing the Cork region as a prime location for film and TV production; supporting the region’s indigenous film and TV industry cast and crew members and providing a comprehensive production support service for those involved in the industry.
Cllr. Michael O’Connell, Lord Mayor of Cork, commented on Cork’s enviable position as a shooting location, saying: “Cork is one of Ireland’s prime filming locations. Easily accessible by land, sea and air, the city itself offers a wealth of film friendly locations. A short drive brings you to beautiful coastal towns like Cobh and Kinsale, while further afield the dramatic landscapes of West Cork provide among the fines scenic locations to be found anywhere in Europe.”
Chris Hurley, Manager of the Cork Film Centre spoke about the founding of the new body, saying:“The setting up of Cork Screen Commission demonstrates a sense of co-operation, vision and commitment on the part of the City and County Councils to the further development of the film and television industries. The Screen Commission has the potential to significantly increase the level of indigenous filmmaking in the region, as well as attracting outside productions, leading to the development of skills, increased employment, and economic benefit to the greater Cork area.”
Mags O’Sullivan, Deputy Film Commissioner with the Irish Film Board, praised the founding of the body by the Cork council officials, noting that: “By setting up an office dedicated to assisting both local and overseas filmmakers, the City and County councils have shown a strong commitment to filmmaking, and an acknowledgement of the positive creative, economic and tourist impacts that filmmaking can have on a region.”
The new Cork Screen Commission will network within the industry and look to deliver a focused marketing programme aimed at maximising levels of film and TV production in the region. The Commission will also link to and be part of other marketing developments initiated locally through the two local authorities, Fáilte Ireland and the local enterprise agencies. It will also link with National promotional campaigns developed through the Irish Film Board, Tourism Ireland and the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Innovation.
A special IFTN Locations Ireland feature piece features more information about Cork as a filming location and the projects that have shot there over the years. It is available to read here
For a guide to Cork Filming Locations visit: Locations Ireland - Cork
