IFB backs new films from Sheridan, Crowley, Dillon

The national development agency for the Irish audio-visual industry is backing a range of projects from established names like Jim Sheridan and rising film-makers like Gerard Barrett, as well as a host of animations and feature documentaries.

Live action projects receiving IFB backing include The Ranger, a revenge story set in 1840s Ireland to be directed by Game Of Thrones cinematographer PJ Dillon; Patrick’s Day from Charlie Casanova director Terry McMahon; and The Canal from Ivan Kavanagh, which is currently in production.

Projects in development from established names to receive funding include Nick Hornby’s adaptation of Colm Toibin’s novel Brooklyn to be directed by John Crowley (Intermission), Jim Sheridan’s The Great Storm and The Delinquent Season, written and to be directed by Mark O’Rowe. 

The IFB is also developing a number of projects from emerging writers and directors including Glassland from Gerard Barrett (Pilgrim Hill) with funding from Film4; and a sequel to comedy The Hardy Bucks Movie which was a hit for Universal Pictures Ireland earlier this year. The film will see the film’s characters travel to Australia. 

Animation projects to receive funding include Puffin Rock, a pre-school series from the Oscar nominated animation studio Cartoon Saloon and Newsbag, an adult comedy series from the newly established Icehouse Media. The IFB is also supporting a record amount of animation projects in early stages of development, many of which have been accepted into this year’s Cartoon Forum.

The IFB has also invested in six documentary features including Rough Rider, which will tell the story of Irish sports journalist Paul Kimmage and his controversial quest to find honesty and hope inside the Tour de France. 

Creative co-productions in receipt of IFB funding include Ken Loach’s Jimmy’s Hall, which shoots in Ireland this summer, and Miss Julie starring Colin Farrell and Jessica Chastain, which shot in Ireland earlier this year.

“There is an impressive and wide range of projects in receipt of funding loan awards for the first six months of this year,” said James Hickey, chief executive of the IFB. “The aim of the Irish Film Board is to invest in Irish creative talent and innovation by supporting productions which will represent Ireland around the globe, and will raise direct foreign investment providing a boost to the Irish economy in terms of jobs and spend on local good and services.”

Hickey added: “It is worth noting that in 2012 the IFB invested €10.5m in a wide range of projects, of which 30 feature films went into production, resulting in €80m spend in the Irish economy. These projects in receipt of IFB funding raised over €118m in foreign direct investment.”