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2016 WAS A massive year for Ireland on the big screen – from Oscar nominations to box office success for indie films.
14 January 2016 will go down as a landmark day for Irish cinema, when three of the country’s films scooped a total of nine Oscar nominations. Room, one of the films – directed by Lenny Abrahamson – later saw its lead actor Brie Larson walking away with the Best Actress award.
As the year went on, the box office success grew – the popularity of Sing Street, A Date for Mad Mary, the Young Offenders, and Viva helped ticket sales to grow to in excess of €125 million.
And as the year came to a close, the Irish Film Board got a Christmas boost of an extra €1.1m in funding from the government, capping off 12 months of success.
What has become clear in 2016 is how much diversity there is in Irish film – and that’s just among the releases that made it as far as the cinema.
LGBTQ-related themes in particular were given a focus in films like A Date for Mad Mary and Viva, while the life of people in modern Ireland was explored through comedy in The Young Offenders and documentary in Mattress Men, to name but two releases.
That’s before we get to the many young and upcoming directors, screenwriters and producers crafting shorts, films and as-yet-unseen works that cover a plethora of topics.
As for next year, there’s even more to come. Frankie Fenton’s It’s Not Yet Dark, about Irish film-maker Simon Fitzmaurice and his diagnosis with Motor Neuron Disease, and Neasa Ní Chianáin and David Rane’s In Loco Parentis are both set to screen at the Sundance Film Festival, for example.
But challenges in the sector remain – not least of all, funding. The Irish Film Board continued to call for more funding from the government, and launched a five-year strategy this summer.
The IFB is funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and up to 19 December received an annual capital allocation of €12,702,000m for 2017.
On that date, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht had some good news for the board, announcing that it was to give the IFB an extra €1.1m in funding. The Christmas gift would bring to €15.5m the total amount of funding provided to the IFB by Minister Heather Humphrey’s department this year.
Still, funding levels haven’t yet reached those of previous years. In the five-year strategy, the IFB called on the government to help foster future success by reinstating its previous funding level of €20m.
But there was other good news for the IFB – in recognition of the recent success, the audio-visual sector was identified as a priority area by the government in its Action Plan for Jobs.
In addition, throughout 2016 the IFB has been working with partners in the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the IDA to drive and support sustained growth in the industry, and to promote Ireland internationally as a “premier film location”. We saw this in how yet another Star Wars production headed to Ireland for filming, while stars like Mel Gibson visited for shoots.
“Established and emerging Irish film talent have been making their mark in both the international and domestic markets in 2016,” said James Hickey, CEO, of the Irish Film Board.
The success is not only measurable in box office figures and awards, but also in deserved recognition from critics and industry peers. Much has been achieved in 2016 and in our five-year strategy which we launched this July, we remain ambitious in our plans and aspirations for industry.
The IFB’s funding is used to provide production funding to on average 12 Irish originated feature films, seven feature co-productions, 10 feature documentaries and four TV animation series as well as development funding, cinema distribution funding and funding for training.
The year that was
One of the people who has been casting a keen eye over the Irish film scene this year has been Niall Murphy of the site Scannáin.com.
“2016 has probably been the greatest year on record, or close to it,” he told TheJournal.ie. “We had multiple Oscar nominations and wins, and more films at Toronto [International Film Festival, TIFF] than we ever had before. It’s pretty much the crest of the wave that we’ve been enjoying.”
But Murphy pointed out that it’s “unlikely we’ll see it repeated at [the 2017] Oscars or at next year’s Toronto”.
There are a number of Irish films which debuted in Toronto that we will get to see next year – Gerard Barrett’s Brain on Fire, John Butler’s Handsome Devil, and Aisling Walsh’s Maudie.
Murphy also emphasised the need for funding for filmmakers.
If you look at the budget for an average indie film, it’s €10 – 20 million. The Irish Film Board cannot give any film more than €1 million, so it has to be a co-production so there has to be a source of money.
There’s nobody in this country that’s backing film to that extent other than the film board.
For Murphy, movies like Star Wars have been a boon for the country. “It’s brilliant to get that international recognition and now Donegal has been recognised as one of the places to visit off the back of Star Wars being shot there, and that can lead to an increase in tourism.
“You can see any investment in the creative arts can lead to further investment – not only does it keep money within the country, keeps jobs in the country, but it also leads to presenting the country on an international stage. So the better Irish film does, it is an ambassador, it is going out into the world saying this is us; look at us; visit us. It’s vitally important that we support our arts because of that, because of what it can do.”
His personal highlights for 2016? A Date for Mad Mary, which got multiple standing ovations when he saw it. “It was like a religious experience,” he said. As for next year, Handsome Devil and Brain on Fire are ones he’s looking out for.
“And then I want to see what independents come out, because they are always the ones you’re not aware of so you just hear about them out of nowhere,” said Murphy.
“For producers, it’s an exciting time”
Tailored Films / Vimeo
One of those looking ahead to 2017 and what it might bring is Ruth Treacy of Tailored Films, which is producing forthcoming film The Lodgers. Written by David Turpin and directed by Brian O’Malley, it’s a gothic horror about a pair of twins who live in a haunted house.
The film was almost entirely shot in Ireland’s ‘most haunted house’ Loftus Hall, which is celebrating its 666th birthday this year. The project came about when Turpin – a musician who knew the staff at Tailored through college – asked was there a way he could repay them for loaning him lights for gigs.
Their response? Come up with an idea for a film. The team then approached Rory Gilmartin of the Irish Film Board with Turpin’s two-page idea, and began the development process with the IFB in mid-2014.
“It has been quite smooth running from development to production,” said Treacy. Funding for the film, which stars Charlotte Vega, Bill Millner, Moe Dunford and Deirdre O’Kane, was received from the IFB and also Epic Pictures.
“The film board are very open to talking to producers about types of project development,” said Treacy. The idea was submitted through the IFB’s online system, and sent on to external readers, who send a reader report to the production company.
These reports are helpful for figuring out why projects might get rejected. When a project is accepted, a script editor is assigned to it, and a few months later the script must be resubmitted. The production goes through a number of stages before it gets near production funding.
“It’s so competitive”
Though projects usually move at different paces, about three years from script to screen would be a fast process. “For us this has gone quite smoothly,” said Treacy of Lodgers.
“There are so many people making films at the moment, it’s just so competitive,” she said. “The ratio of people submitting things [to those receiving funding] is huge. For us the film board was an absolutely amazing support during the whole process.”
The aim with 2017 is to show the film at festivals, and there already events lined up, such as Cannes. “It has sold in a number of territories already,” she said.
For Tailored, the key has been making real-life relationships with people in the industry, which has made pitches all the easier.
One thing Treacy has noticed which shows the current strength of the Irish film industry is just how busy things are.
One thing that would prove it to me is we are planning these pick-up shots in January. Normally no crew would be working in January because usually it is a very quiet month, but we are finding everyone is busy and that’s testament to the fact so much is going on.
People aren’t taking breaks, they are going from project to project.
There are also more international crews working in Ireland, which Treacy said is very welcome, but can make it “tricky for Irish productions with smaller projects to compete”.
“For producers it’s a good time too, it’s exciting,” she said.
“It’s great that Irish film abroad is doing so well, and that Irish film is being recognised,” said Treacy. “Anytime we talk to producers and you say you’re an Irish producer there is a really positive response, which is great.”
They associate Ireland with really high-quality productions and stories as well. That is really positive for us.
However, Treacy also reiterated how much extra funding would benefit the industry. “It would be great if the film board had more funding or the BAI [Broadcasting Authority of Ireland] supported more films,” she said.
As for looking ahead to 2017, Treacy said she can’t wait to see the features Black 47 – described as a ‘Famine western’ – and Third Wave, starring Ellen Page. “We’re just excited to finish The Lodgers and hopefully launch it at a festivals later next year,” she said.
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‘Government wants to know how much the clean-up bill for Storm Emma is going to cost’
the taxpayer.
@David Sinclair: As opposed to who David, given taxes fund public spending?
@David Sinclair: as opposed to who David does minister Murphy have a money tree out the back of Dáil Éireann that he shakes in case of emergency.
Just clarifying things in case the message fails to get communicated.
@Tom Harpur: Yes they seem to be able to find copious amounts of money when they want to!
@David Sinclair: bad weather damages infrastructure and requires capital investment. They might have to bring forward some repair work. This needs forecasting, what’s the big deal?
I must say though I have extra respect for all the farmers now who helped dig out the more isolated roads. Spare a thought for them when there’s a late start to spring and they need support to feed their livestock.
Not as much as cleaning up the tidal wave of corruption that besets this once fine nation!
On another matter I see the comments on Anglo Irish Banking enquiry into Siteserve and other matters has already been suspended!
@Jarlath Murphy: Shallow and tired click-bait. Ata boy Jarlath.
@Jarlath Murphy: All aboard the censorship. No one is allowed to question the slurping activities of the fat pigs at the trough.
@MK76: Yet you felt compelled to respond?
Shallow and tired, like the hackneyed
Strategic Communications Unit Mess?
@Patricia McCarthy: They have their pathetically sad sycophantic acolytes defending their excesses, as they wat in solemn servitude for an opportunity to slurp at the trough!
Sad specimens!
@Jarlath Murphy: Ah, sure that’s more of it now Jarlath. Yaaaaaaawn.
@MK76: while pretending not to care you still feel compelled to respond?
@Jarlath Murphy: Just trying to help someone who is clearly craving attention Jarlath. The content of your messages are utter tripe, but maybe you’re just lonely.
@MK76: Your concern is touching, perhaps I can move in with you?
@Jarlath Murphy: when was it a fine nation?
@Jarlath Murphy: Couldn’t listen to your empty rhetoric and opaque political musings, but there’s someone for everyone, so hang in there.
@MK76: They say there’s a match for a beetle and you’ve clearly found yours!
In the meantime I hear they are planning on rebranding the Strategic Communications Unit.
Can you confirm?
@Ohhh_reeally: Before you clearly!
@Jarlath Murphy: How would I be able to conf…….wait a minute….
Jarlath, you rascal you. You’re intimating I’m somehow part of FGs communications unit, because I’m calling you out for your moronic posts.
You’re as clever as you are original. How are you still single?
@MK76: What you mean your not on the pay roll!
How disappointing!
For you!
@MK76: AK47 does a lot of yawning but can’t seem to just close his bullying gob for its own absence of sense defending this joke of a government, nit picking as usual while ignoring all the other articles on the journal; Macabe,spin and the hse mess. Go off to sleep you must have insomnia worrying about your peacock Leo. Say goodnight to @Frank Murphy for me ;(
@Jarlath Murphy: Rebranding SCUT? No. I hope not. It should remain as SCUT. Strategic Communication Unit Trolls.
Such an appropriate title.
@MK76: AK47= moronic yawn
@Declan: There you are Jarlath. Declan and yourself seem like a match made in heaven.
@MK76: Don’t worry, you got to believe that there’s someone for you!
Just hold on in there, you may end up with a rich bankster, a bulging pocket full of water options and a very short cough!
Alternatively you may even get elected!
@Patricia McCarthy:
General Independent Managerial Processors
Not sure what that will be shortened too?
They don’t wanna be asking The Gardaí how much it’ll be, figure they’ll get back would be either 76trillion euro or a fiver
We pay taxes. Deal with it.
@Tony Joyce: ‘HOUSING MINISTER EOGHAN Murphy today expressed his appreciation for the “whole-of-government” support during the severe weather last week.
While he acknowledged the situation is not over for everyone around the country, the minister told his Cabinet colleagues that the management of the cold weather conditions “went to plan”.
He should get a t shirt with a hand slapping his back. It woudl save him having to do it himself all the time. Does this guy ever stfu about how good he and the govermnemt are?
Didn’t cost a penny in my estate r any estate I’d say as no council worker to be seen…ah we have to keep the main roads etc our number one priority…surely they could provide more resources/funding for estates so people can get around and get about…
@Gareth Fitzpatrick:
Alternatively you could set up a resistance committee and buy a few shovels. There is no law against getting up off your arse and doing something to contribute
@Nick Allen:
Residents*
@Nick Allen: I and most of the neighbours that were young enough all did that…your smartarse comment is really appreciated..
@Nick Allen: I and most of the neighbours that were young enough all did that…your smart comment is really appreciated…
@Gareth Fitzpatrick:
Then what are you moaning about?
@Nick Allen: are you for real?? I’m so called moaning because why isn’t there enough resources for the council to do more I’m lucky enough to have a job…if they where given more funding they would be able to clear roads in estates so people Can get around…why should residents have to do it all?? I’m far from lazy but surely it would be under there job remit to do more locally??
Gov ain’t worried about how much their spin unit costs, not worried about how much their expensive 2040 and similar launches cost, not worried about how much their own advertising and self promotion costs, but worried about how much support they have to give out to the plebs after the storm and how much that’s going to inconvenience them.
After their spin unit failure and resultant bad publicity, gov wants to appear to be more honest with the public now, but the leopard doesn’t change it’s spots, their response will be to try harder to fool the nation!
The incompetent gov don’t seem to worry how much it’s gonna cost when it comes to their own salaries, very generous expenses, exorbitant pensions, extra payments for appearing on various gov committees, and ridiculous compensation packages.
Mattie McGrath TD and his family were out all during the snow clearing roads and helping stranded drivers with their heavy equipment at their own expense . Its great to see a politician talking the talk as well as walking the walk.
@Naoimh Ó Murchadha: lol dont kid yourself. A bill will go to the council. TDs arent in the charity business and the machinery and operators dont work on fresh air.
@Naoimh Ó Murchadha: He mustn’t have been able to get out to any funerals.
@Naoimh Ó Murchadha: Yes I heard about that because he and his organisation made danm sure to put out plenty of photos and social media updates about it. Meanwhile lots of ordinary people did stuff quietly and without a fuss.
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