Limerick City in Ireland will host the Association of Film Commissioners International’s (AFCI) 46th Annual Cineposium Conference which runs September 26–28.
AFCI’s Cineposium event brings film commissions and industry leaders from around the world together to discuss policy, economic development and screen production and will serve as an opportunity to showcase Limerick and the west coast of Ireland to major studio executives. This is the first time in Cineposium’s 46-year history that the conference will take place in Ireland.
Hosting the event is the result of a competitive bid process open to all AFCI film commission members, which was won this year by Film in Limerick. Over the past decade, Cineposium has been held in the U.S., France, New Zealand, Spain, South Korea, Russia and Colombia. The annual Cineposium conference connects AFCI members and film industry professionals with production industry partners and policy makers worldwide.
Ireland Tourism and Culture Minister Catherine Martin said, “This is an excellent opportunity to build on the current wave of success happening across Ireland’s screen industry, and to further strengthen our partnerships with international production companies and studios around the world. Being able to showcase Ireland as a global production hub is a fantastic way to drive more international production to all parts of the country, further developing skills and opportunities for Irish talent and our skilled crew base.”
Screen Ireland has put a key strategic focus encouraging the growth of film and television production nationwide, and recently announced the establishment of a new fund to support regional activity, ring-fencing €3.5 million ($3.75 million) from the agency’s budget for the fund. Designed to develop crew resource and skills all around the country, the fund will require commitments to diversity and inclusion, sustainable production and on-set initiatives.
Jaclyn Philpott, executive director of the AFCI, said, “Screen Ireland joined AFCI in June, 2018. Their office has consistently exemplified leadership in sustainability, workforce development programs and providing production support for filmmakers and content creators filming in the country, as well as being an active and valued member of AFCI.”
Désirée Finnegan, chief executive of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, commented, “Limerick winning this bid is a significant recognition of Ireland’s position as a world-class location for film production, both in terms of the range of talent and skilled crew and craftspeople available across the country, as well as our country’s renowned landscapes and diverse locations. Consistent investment in the film industry over decades has created incredible opportunities in terms of employment, skills development, local investment and the generation of cultural value and visionary storytelling. The screen industry Cineposium is an excellent opportunity to showcase the strength and power of the Irish screen industry and we look forward to welcoming the global film industry representatives to Limerick this year.”
Paul C. Ryan, regional film manager at Innovate Limerick/Film in Limerick, said, “We have ambitious plans for the development of the sector in the Mid-West. As well as the infrastructure, crew base and tax incentives, we are blessed with stunning locations made for cinema. From the dramatic coastal areas of Clare to the rich Georgian heritage of Limerick City and the lush countryside and castles in Tipperary, the Mid-West and regions have so much to offer. Film in Limerick winning the bid to host Cineposium in Limerick is a wonderful opportunity to showcase these regions as the perfect locations for film and TV production. With our host partners, Screen Ireland, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, and support from MSL ETB and the Western Development Commission, we are planning an exciting and memorable week of events and we look forward to offering a warm welcome to industry leaders and film commissions.”
2023 will see a range of projects across film, television and animation in production across Ireland. Fresh from his Academy Award success, Barry Keoghan (The Banshees of Inisherin, The Batman) has just completed filming Irish drama Bring Them Down in Wicklow; while Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer, Peaky Blinders) is attached to an adaptation of Claire Keegan’s prize-winning novel, "Small Things," filming in Wexford. Actor Eva Birthistle (Bad Sisters) makes her directorial debut with Kathleen, while World War II-set feature drama God’s Spy has just wrapped filming in the region. In TV production, upcoming dark comedy thriller Obituary is currently shooting in Donegal and will premiere on Hulu, and the second series of Hidden Assets is filming in Limerick. Dark Water, from the makers of Smother, is filming in Clare and Tipperary.
