Updated 4.15pm
QUESTIONS OVER THE future of the Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTA) – its format, what broadcasters are interested in showing it, and whether it will go ahead at all – have been raised recently.
RTÉ has pulled out of broadcasting it, after last year’s ceremony was branded “embarrassing” by viewers, however, the awards organiser, the Irish Film and Television Academy, said it is in discussions with other interested parties.
However, TheJournal.ie understands that TV3 could be on the cards as an alternative broadcasting partner – however no decision has yet been made.
UTV Ireland has said it will watch developments with interest.
A spokesperson told TheJournal.ie, “We haven’t had any discussions with IFTA about this year’s awards. As an investor in domestic production, we will watch developments with interest.”
New broadcaster
Áine Moriarty, Chief Executive of IFTA said that it is “in discussions with the Irish Film Board (IFB) regarding the 12thannual Awards Ceremony in 2015, with an exciting and alternative new format with a new Broadcasting partner to showcase the industry”.
However, it is unlikely that any decision will be made before next week on whether TV3 or another broadcaster will pick up the baton from RTE.
Whoever does agree to broadcast the awards – if they are broadcast at all – Moriarty says the ceremony will have a new look to it.
Having undertaken a full review of last year’s Production, the plans being considered are fresh and dynamic and we look forward to discussing further with the IFB, which has been the standard process over the past 11 years between the Academy and the IFB.
Funding
In terms of whether the Irish Film Board (IFB) will be funding the awards ceremony this year, the chief executive James Hickey said:
No funding award has been made by the Irish Film Board to an IFTA award ceremony in 2015 at this point.Funding decisions are made by the IFB Board based on the strength of a funding application and all applications are dealt with on a case by case basis by the IFB Board.
An application by the IFTAs has been made to the IFB, however, no final decision on that application has yet been reached.
The IFB states that it is not their policy to comment on individual applications, nor on applications currently before the board.
Funding applications made to the IFB are made at its board meetings, which meets every four to six weeks.
The IFB said they are happy to make announcements about funding awards, when funding has been agreed.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say