Insurance companies ‘put obstacles’ in funding the film and TV industry, committee hears

INSURANCE COMPANIES put up “roadblocks” and posed a “significant challenge” to the Irish film and television industry as it battled the effects of the pandemic, a committee was informed.

The Oireachtas media committee was told that the industry has been in an “extremely difficult position” due to the Irish blockades.

Screen Producers Ireland’s Stuart Switzer also said insurance companies put up “roadblocks” to prevent productions from accessing financing.

The committee was informed that 24 productions were suspended, 59 were delayed and 800 workers were laid off, resulting in 20 million euros of unpaid wages.

Despite the challenge of the coronavirus, some 12 feature films, three television productions, eight animated television shows and 13 documentaries will have been produced by the end of 2020.

Desiree Finnegan, executive director of Screen Ireland, said that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected all sectors of the industry and that production insurance is “a significant challenge.”

However, he said three major productions have returned to Ireland, giving the industry a boost.

Screen Ireland received five million euros from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Art, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to allow the productions to continue.

Finnegan added: “There is no question that the pandemic has affected all aspects of the industry, but the demand for content is very clear throughout the pandemic.

I think the demand for direct consumer services that we’ve seen around the world also speaks to consumer appetite.

“The animation industry has a world-class reputation, has won multiple awards and is watched by millions of children around the world.

“They have adapted well to the pandemic.”

She said that Screen Ireland will launch an animation academy to specifically address skills deficit issues in Ireland.

Switzer told the committee there was an opportunity to distribute Irish content to Irish communities around the world, while Finnegan said his company would “be very supportive” of funding to do so.

“It has been tested in the past, but now the technology is there and there is video on demand,” added Switzer.

There is a great opportunity for such material to be seen, both in film and on television, by our diaspora.

Finnegan also said that Ireland is working with major streaming platforms, adding that there is a “great opportunity” to build deeper relationships.

“We found that there are even more opportunities and that is why we are hiring someone to be on the ground (in Los Angeles), particularly when traveling, it is even more important to build relationships,” he added.