Budget 2025 Submission on behalf of the Western AV Forum

Budget Submission 2025 Banner WAVF
Budget Submission 2025 Banner WAVF

Tags:

  • Budget Submission 2025
  • Recommendations
  • WAVF
  • Western AV Forum

[DOWNLOAD FULL BUDGET 2025 SUBMISSION HERE]

SUMMARY:

Regional Film & Television production in Ireland is in Crisis.   

The AV sector has been a major success in creating consistent employment for thousands and generating millions in direct spend in regional areas. At its height it was contributing considerably to the regions ensuring there was a sustainable decentralised creative industry across the Ireland of Ireland. With the lapsing of the Section 481 Regional Uplift and in the absence of any strategy to replace it, this good work is not only regressing but actively declining below pre-uplift levels.  

A holistic, consistent, and sustainable strategy for development of the Regional AV sector is vital to maintain the substantial benefits the sector provides across the nation, and in particular outside the traditional hub of Dublin & Wicklow.  This strategy must contain the following: An Automatic Funding support in the form of a return to a full regional uplift; a dedicated regional fund from screen Ireland that would act as an interim measure until the uplift is affected; and a commitment to develop regional talent and capacity by actively building upon clusters. 

  • REGIONAL UPLIFT: A functioning, consistent, and long-term Section 481 Regional Development Uplift will help address the lack of regular production in the regions and help maintain a key crew base through consistent work outside Dublin/Wicklow. This in turn will help reduce costs of shooting in the regions and make them more attractive to incoming productions
  • REGIONAL FUNDING: Until such time as there is a dedicated Regional Uplift, a dedicated regional fund in Ireland is vital to ensure the regions remain competitive and the diversity and geographic spread of film production in Ireland.
  • CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT: By anchoring regional production with regionally based producers and implementing a comprehensive strategy that includes automatic funding support and dedicated regional funds, we can ensure the sustainability and growth of the regional audiovisual sector, supporting Ireland’s goal of balanced regional development, and delivering consistent employment across a variety of sectors.

These proposed initiatives are crucial for the sustainable growth and diversification of Ireland’s regional audiovisual industry. The government’s support in reinstating the Section 481 Regional Uplift, establishing a dedicated Regional Fund, and developing Regional Clusters will not only enhance regional production capacity but also secure Ireland’s position as a competitive and culturally rich hub for film and television production. 

[DOWNLOAD FULL BUDGET 2025 SUBMISSION HERE]

WESTERN AV FORUM includes:

2000AD Productions/ 9th Impact / Abú Media / Adam & Ed Creative / Aniar Teo / Ardán / Atlantic Technological University / Bandit Films / Black Gate Productions/  Clare County Council / Creative Europe Media Desk / Creative Heartlands Film / Danú Media / Donegal Film Office / Éiru Films / EO Teilifís / Fíbín Media / Film Mayo / Fís Éireann – Screen Ireland / Galway City Council / Galway County Council / Galway Culture Company / Galway Film Fleadh & Fair / Galway Roscommon ETB / Gamerfest / Gréasán na Meán Skillnet / GK Media / Iris Productions / Janey Pictures / Leitrim County Council / Little Rose Films / Lorg Media / Lunar Pictures / Magamedia / Magpie 6 Media Entertainment / Mayo County Council / Moetion Films / National Talent Academy: Film & Television / Romero Games / Roscommon County Council / Sligo County Council / Spooky Doorway / Studio Meala / Studio@5 by Cue One / Telegael / TG4  /The Bothy / Tri Moon Films / Tribal City Interactive / Triggerfish Animation Studios / Tua Films / Údarás na Gaeltachta / University of Galway / Western Development Commission (WDC) / WRAP Fund and Commission 

The Western AV Forum (WAVF) is a collective of key stakeholders for Film, Television, Games, and Animation in the West of Ireland chaired by Ardán. Through this forum, we hear firsthand from those working on the ground in the regions and gain considerable insight into the challenges they face. Our work with these initiatives, alongside others we operate, provide us with a top to bottom understanding of the industry in the region and inform the recommendations that follow.

Further information

Alan Duggan

alan@ardan.ie 

+353 (0)87 232 7178