The Arts Council’s role in film is distinct and is central to the provision of a national infrastructure for film culture in Ireland. The focus is on supporting film artists and on providing for and developing audiences for cultural cinema. We share responsibility for public policy and support for film with the Irish Film Board, which works to develop the Irish film industry.
The Arts Council provides indirect support to the film artist through funding for a range of organisations, including film resource organisations and festivals. We provide direct support to the film artist through award and film schemes. Our awards are designed to provide artists with an opportunity to make work of an experimental, non-narrative nature, while our film schemes are for the making of highly creative work for dedicated broadcast or festival exhibition.
The Arts Council provides for, and develops, audiences for cultural cinema on a national basis through the funding of a range of film organisations and festivals. In a strategic partnership with the Irish Film Board, we have also provided capital funding for the development of arthouse cinemas in Dublin and Galway and for the installation of digital projection equipment in cinema screens around the country.