Written by Kianna Best on Sep 26, 2024. Posted in General Interest

Ireland is VFX and post production ready for international studios

Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland have partnered with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to promote the country’s fast growing VFX and post production sector. Meeting in Los Angeles this week, the national agency for the Irish screen industry are tapping into the city’s studios, streaming and production companies.

Image courtesy of FX

"The VFX and post-production sector combines Ireland’s strength in technical skill and world-class storytelling artistry,” comments Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland. “The quality of award-winning Irish VFX to date has demonstrated a significant opportunity for future growth. This trade mission will highlight the value of Ireland’s rapidly expanding VFX and post-production sector to our long-standing US Studio partners. Screen Ireland is dedicated to supporting the future of this sector in Ireland through the National Talent Academy for VFX and skills development opportunities nationwide.”

Ireland VFX sector has been put to work over the years, contributing to a host of projects including Marvel Studios’ Wanda Vision and Spiderman: No Way Home, as well as Emmy-award winning FX series for Disney Shogun, which amongst its many garnered an award for Irish VFX studio Screen Scene VFX this year.

Since 2019, the sector has grown 326% in revenue, and with the global film and episodic VFX market predicted to grow, USD 5.15 billion (2022) to USD 9.92 billion (2028), the Irish sector is setting the plan in motion to capitalize off this growth. Meeting took place this week in LA between companies across Ireland such as EEG post production and VFX, Element Post, Outer Limits, Piranha Bar, SSVFX and Windmill Lane with streaming companies such as Netflix and Amazon MGM Studios.

To manage the growing industry, Screen Ireland launched the National Talent Academy for VFX to support skills development, addressing a current skills gap, as well as creating opportunities for Irish creatives to upskill. This joins the organisation’s animation and VFX Pathways programme- a fund designed to provide work opportunities on productions for those from diverse and underrepresented communities.

Ireland has long been known as an attractive production destination, enticing international creatives with its 32% tax credit, state of the art studios facilities, diverse locations and highly skilled crew. This latest trade mission adds a new dimension to the credibility of its crew force, strengthening existing partnerships with international bodies, and ensuring Ireland remains a competitive presence in the global creative screen sector.