Budget 2005: Producers want help for independent movies

The Irish Film Board needs funding of €2m a year to support film-making in Ireland, the Screen Producers Ireland (SPI) said today in their pre-Budget submission to the Government.

The SPI also called for increased funding for TG4 (from €23.3m to €30m) and the removal of the cap on investment in feature films.

All these measures are necessary to "help promote the independent film and television production sector in Ireland", the SPI said.

SPI Director Malcolm Byrne said: "The forthcoming Budget offers the Government the chance to make a real difference to the film production industry in Ireland."