Applications Open For Irish Fiction Production International Fund

Following the announcement from the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Seamus Brennan confirming the IFB supplementary funding of €2 million, Bord Scannán na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board (IFB) is now accepting applications for the Fiction Production International Fund.
The Fund, now in its third year, aims to ensure the continuation of international production in Ireland, by encouraging larger mobile international film and television projects to locate here. The International Production Fund has attracted more than €60 million worth of incoming production investment to Ireland over the past two years.
The funding, which will be subject to the IFB's normal cultural criteria, will be targeted at high-quality international film and television drama. Applications will be assessed by reference to:

• Creative strength of project


• Track record of creative team

Particular attention will be paid to:

• Irish employment in all grades


• Projects that can offer employment in lead creative roles including director, key cast, director of photography, production designer, costume designer and editor


• Projects that will utilise studios and post-production facilities


• Spend in the Irish economy


• Projects that will deliver significant economic leverage with other funding including Section 481

Only new feature film and television drama projects will be considered. In order to be eligible, a project must:

• Have the majority of its production finance already confirmed
  


• Be scheduled to start pre-production before 31st December 2007
  


• Not already be in receipt of a BSÉ/IFB production loan commitment
  

Applicants should follow the new submission procedures as published on the IFB website, discussing applications before submission with either the Irish Film Commissioner (Naoise Barry), IFB's Head of Business Affairs (Teresa McGrane) or its Chief Executive (Simon Perry) and using the new application form for ‘Production Funding - International' (not Production Funding - Fiction'). Applications can only be made by Irish co-producers.
(DS)