Screen Ireland has launched its slate of productions coming to audiences and international markets this year.
The agency also published the industry’s production figures for 2022 and revealed details of a number of new initiatives that are being rolled out to support the industry in 2023.
The 2023 Production Slate contains 44 projects crossing a multitude of genres and target audiences, including nine feature films, three animation series, eight TV dramas, 13 documentaries and seven short films.
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John Carney’s Flora and Son will be released to audiences this year.
This is the writer/director’s first film since the audience hit Sing Street and stars Eve Hewson, Joseph Gordon Levitt and Jack Reynor.
It was picked up by Apple TV after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this month. John Carney was at the Slate launch today, along with the film’s star Eve Hewson.
John Carney said: "It’s beautiful to see a small Island nation come up against the giant of Hollywood through years of seeding and financing talent.
"To see our actors, directors, writers and producers accepted and celebrated overseas in numerous festivals, theatres, and awards, is a testament to arts funding, and would be next to impossible without support and cultivation of talent. In the film business particularly, be wary of anyone who tells you they’ve done it on their own. It’s an art form that is simply impossible without generous support."
Also in attendance was actor Charlene McKenna who stars in Clean Sweep , a crime thriller TV series set to premiere on RTÉ later this year.
The actress also discussed her voice role in animated feature film A Greyhound of a Girl , based on the short story from Roddy Doyle, which will premiere at the Berlinale Film Festival next month.
Production activity in Ireland has continued to grow at a steady level over recent years. Production spend in the Irish economy hit a record high in 2021, an exceptional year due to the increased level of activity taking place following the Covid-related production shutdowns. Production activity in 2022 - driven by both Irish and international productions – marked an increase of €4 million from 2019, the year preceding the Covid-19 pandemic.
Details of a new fund to further support regional activity was also announced by Screen Ireland today. The Regional Support Fund is designed to support the development of skills around the country, outside of Dublin and Wicklow.
It is targeted at crew across all grades, including new entrants, and will also require commitments in the area of Diversity and Inclusion, sustainable production and on-set initiatives. €3.5 million has been ring-fenced from Screen Ireland’s 2023 Budget for the fund.
Screen Ireland also confirmed that, starting this year, funding will be available for all Screen Ireland-supported productions to engage a Sustainability Advisor in addition to the requirement for productions to document their carbon footprints.
Desiree Finnegan, Chief Executive of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland , said: "Screen Ireland is proud to launch the 2023 Slate of Productions across film, television, animation and documentary.
"There is a wide range of productions coming to audiences in the year ahead, which are a testament to all the creative talent that worked on them.
"We’re also particularly proud to support and raise awareness for Minding Creative Minds across the industry.
"We would like to thank Minister Catherine Martin TD for her continued support, enabling us to provide targeted initiatives across the country, helping to build and maintain growth across all parts of the sector, and to assist talent at all stages in their careers.
"The incredible Academy Awards nominations news last week is a further reminder of the impact that this sector can have, with Irish creative talent being recognised amongst the best in the world."
Susan Bergin, Chair of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, said: "Our focus is on sustainable growth of the industry into the future. That involves prioritising regional activity, continuing to drive skills development, and creating a supportive and inclusive industry through initiatives such as Minding Creative Minds.
"The report published by Olsberg-SPI earlier this month about the impact of Section 481 demonstrates the importance of Government supports like Section 481 and we want to acknowledge the ongoing support of Minister Catherine Martin and her Department which ensures the ongoing competitiveness of the industry."
The event takes place on the back of the announcement last week of this year’s Oscar nominations, which saw Irish creative talent steal the show with a phenomenal record number of 14 nominations.
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