Irish Film Board chief resigns to become CEO of AusFilm

Irish Film Board Chief Executive Mark Woods has resigned his post to return to Australia and take up the position of CEO with Sydney-based content attraction and marketing agency, AusFilm.
"On behalf of the Board, I would like to acknowledge the very important contribution Mark Woods has made to the ongoing development of the Irish Film Board and to the wider community of the Irish film industry," said Irish Film Board Chairman James Morris. "In an increasingly competitive international market for Irish filmmakers and Ireland, Mark and his team have developed a clear sighted programme of initiatives and supports to assist the Irish film industry in competing successfully at home and abroad. Mark's understanding of the importance of international alliances and competitiveness is a perspective that will undoubtedly be strongly maintained into the future. We wish Mark every success in his new post and look forward to maintaining strong links with him in his new position."
Mark Woods said: "Working at the Irish Film Board has been an unforgettable experience.
"I thank former Chairman Ossie Kilkenny and present Chairman James Morris for their support for the agency and I would especially like to salute Arts, Sport and Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue for his faith in the Irish industry as evidenced by the renewal of the Section 481 tax incentive and his increasing the agency's budget by 32% in the past 18 months."
"With this increased funding and the tax incentive in place, together with a range of new initiatives (such as the Regional Film & TV Fund, Documenting the Arts Fund, Test Screenings Program, the Film Dublin Partnership and the Revolving Pre-Production Cashflow Fund), the agency is in good shape to serve the Irish film industry's talent base."
Woods added: "Forthcoming films like 'Breakfast On Pluto' (which has just sold to Sony Pictures Classics), 'Boy Eats Girl', 'Pavee Lackeen', 'Isolation', 'Studs', 'Dead Long Enough' and 'Short Order' are a pleasing testament to the range and depth of that talent."
Woods takes up his new position in August.
(GB)