Lights, camera, action as films bring in €200m

THE film and television industry is set to bring €200 million into the nation’s coffers this year Minister Mary Hanafin said yesterday.

Speaking after a visit to the set of the feature film Neverland, which is being filmed in the Dublin suburb of Killiney, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport said production had increased during the year.

The latest venture, Neverland, is a two-part prequel to the Peter Pan story and is being produced by the people behind the recent Irish film, Perrier’s Bounty.

It is being produced for Sky Movies HD and stars Bob Hoskins and Rhys Ifans. It follows other films that have been filmed here this year, including Knockout, starring Irish actor Michael Fassbender, and Ewan McGregor, and directed by Steven Soderbergh, as well as the TV series Camelot and Primeval. Filming is taking place over 11 weeks in locations including Killiney and Blessington lakes, employing 180 crew.

Ms Hanafin said: “Major international productions such as Neverland provide an economic boost to Ireland, with significant employment across a huge variety of sectors.

“Having such skilled crews for these productions helps keep Ireland very much in the forefront of global film-makers’ decision making. And the improvements to section 481 introduced last year have increased Ireland’s competitive position as an international film and television destination.”

She said film and television production was essential in promoting the country as a tourist destination and would translate into jobs and help boost the economy.

Neverland, produced by Parallel Films, is a new take on the original mythology of JM Barrie’s famous story that looks to provide an intriguing history for many of the characters including The Lost Boys, Captain Hook, The Indians, Croc and Neverland itself.

The award-winning Irish crew include cinematographer Seamus Deasy and Emmy nominee Emer Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh as costume designer.