Clare projects are to benefit from the WRAP fund that is expected to generate a €16m spend in the West of Ireland.
€2m has been allocated to the Western Region Audiovisual Producer’s Fund (WRAP fund) which will guarantee commercial investment for the remainder of the year to encourage production activity across the film, television drama, animation and gaming sectors in Clare, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. A substantial €12 multiplier on every €1 invested is the goal that has been set.
Located in Francis St in Ennis, animation studio Magpie6 Media had a new project, The Wee Littles, announced as part of the funding.
Feature film, Swallows developed by Ennistymon based Newgrange Pictures and written by John O’Donnell is to benefit in the WRAP fund.
Clare children’s writer Emma Hogan will see her efforts rewarded also. Tails At Animal Airport, an animated television series which she wrote will avail of the WRAP fund and additional support from Screen Ireland. Studio Meala located in Roscommon developed the series.
Lahinch production Smother which is planned for broadcast on RTÉ One and inclusion in the BBC Studios catalogue for international sales has been hailed by personnel involved in the WRAP fund as an example of the “significant year of growth” regarding high-profile productions. Dervla Kirwan and Seana Kerslake are to star in the series, the filming of which has been impacted by COVID-19.
Sarah Dillon, Development Manager of the WRAP Fund stated, “We have many more exciting productions in the pipeline. The impact of COVID-19 has been hard felt in the Region and we are relying on the Irish government to look favourably on the request of the Western AV Forum to extend the Regional Film Development Uplift. This would be a very positive measure to jumpstart production and send out the message that the West is open for business again once it is safe”.
Quin’s Tomás Ó Síochán who is CEO of the Western Development Commission noted, “the Creative Economy is both an economic driver and a significant calling card for the west of Ireland at home and abroad. Our policy analysis, the development of the Atlantic Economic Corridor and a regional network of creative hubs in conjunction with GMIT complement the work of the WRAP Fund to sustain and grow the Creative Economy in the region into the future”.
