British producer to head Irish Film Board

A British film producer has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Irish Film Board, it emerged tonight.

Simon Perry, who was involved in financing Neil Jordan’s the Crying Game, will take over the role in the New Year.

“For a good many years I have watched the rise of Ireland as an enviably vigorous European country, able to boast artistic and entrepreneurial talents in equal measure. So I am truly delighted at the prospect of being involved, and making a contribution to the further growth of Irish cinema,” he said.

Mr Perry, a former head of the British Screen production company, will take over from former Irish Film Board (IFB) chief executive Mark Woods, who has resigned to take up a new position.

The IFB said Mr Perry had a depth of knowledge and achievement in international film production that few could equal.

“As the head of British Screen from 1991 to 2000, he helped numerous high profile European films make it to the screen including Neil Jordan’s The Crying Game and Ken Loach’s Spanish epic Land and Freedom,” said chairman James Morris.

“His experience covers every critical stage of the film-making process, from creative development to production, to finance and to distribution.”