Future of film in Offaly set to be examined

The future of film in Offaly is set to be examined as part of a wide-ranging research brief which has been launched by Offaly County Council’s Arts Office.

The purpose of the research brief, which has a budget of €12,000, is to demonstrate the value of film to the county as a social, cultural and economic driver, and to make recommendations for the potential growth of the film industry in the county going forward.

The deadline for submission of tenders from suitably qualified individuals, organisations or research teams is Thursday, September 8.

A key part of the research brief will be a review of the developments of the film commission FilmOffaly, along with the Arts Office film programme and Creative Ireland Offaly animation residency.

The council said the decision to undertake a wide-ranging examination on the future of film in Offaly has been made due to the fact that the “resources and capacity required to both deliver and grow FilmOffaly are reaching saturation point.”

Since its inception in 2006, FlmOffaly has received “substantial national recognition” and has met many of its original goals, including attracting productions to Offaly and promoting the county as a place to visit, according to the tender documents, which go on to state that many other objectives, including “the growth of indigenous film artists have more potential to be fulfilled.”

The research project will be expected to recommend potential sources of funding and partnerships at both local, regional and national level, to grow FilmOffaly, and will also be tasked with recommending potential programming and commissioning supports that will ensure FilmOffaly reaches its full potential.

Other tasks to be undertaken as part of the brief will be the making of recommendations to develop the overall film sector in Offaly, including support/encourage artists, film-makers, related cultural practices, public engagement and audiences.

As part of the external review process, the researcher will be asked to identify the availability of film studio spaces and places for film-makers to work in Offaly and also to explore the possibilities to “expand and collaborate” both locally and regionally to enable the making of film in county Offaly.

The tender contract into the future of film in Offaly has been given until early to mid-March 2023 to complete its work.