Film and TV academy set up

A NEW all-Ireland body representing the film and television industry was announced yesterday by Arts Minister John O’Donoghue.

The Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) has been set up to stimulate original and creative production work and encourage excellence.

The existing annual IFTA Awards ceremony will also be rescheduled to February each year to position it in line with the international awards season.

Mr O’Donoghue said Irish film and television is experiencing a new buoyancy and confidence.

“Ireland has won the Palme D’Or at Cannes, and our actors, directors and producers continue to make an impact internationally,” he said.

“The establishment of the new academy with the February positioning of the IFTA Awards is an important and welcome addition to the industry’s efforts to ensure that Ireland will build on its success into the future,” he said.

IFTA chief executive Aine Moriarty said she was heartened to see the unified support of the industry and the minister.

“Establishing the Academy with peer voting and repositioning the IFTA Awards brings Ireland in line with other international Academies,” she said.

“The Academy will raise the profile of Irish talent and production by actively promoting Irish excellence, ensuring that achievements are recognised and respected throughout the world.”

The first decision of the Academy was to switch the IFTA Awards to February each year in line with the international awards season.

The next awards will be held on Friday, February 9, 2007.