Ireland boosts film and TV industry with new tax incentives

A new era for Irish cinema

The Irish government has unveiled a series of tax incentives aimed at bolstering the country’s burgeoning film and TV industry. Announced as part of the 2025 budget, these measures are designed to support homegrown talent and attract international productions to Ireland.

Enhanced tax breaks for local productions

One of the standout features of the new budget is a 40 percent tax incentive for lower to mid-range budget films led by Irish creative talent. This represents an 8 percent increase from the existing Section 481 film tax incentive and will apply to productions with a maximum total budget of €20 million ($22 million). This targeted approach aims to further invigorate the Irish film scene, which has been gaining significant momentum.

Recent successes in Irish cinema

Ireland’s film industry has been making waves with notable projects such as Tim Mielants’ Small Things Like These, featuring Cillian Murphy, which opened this year’s Berlin Film Festival. Another highlight is the Gaelic rap comedy Kneecap, which won the Audience Award: NEXT at Sundance and is Ireland’s entry for the 2025 Oscars in the best international feature category. This year alone, Ireland had a record five films premiere at Cannes, showcasing the country’s growing influence in the global film industry.

New incentives for unscripted productions

In addition to the enhanced tax breaks for scripted films, Ireland’s Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers, announced plans for a 20 percent tax incentive for unscripted productions, pending EU approval. This move is expected to attract a diverse range of projects, further solidifying Ireland’s reputation as a versatile filming destination.

Support from Screen Ireland

Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive of the national film agency Screen Ireland, expressed strong support for the new initiatives. She stated that these measures would “support the continued development of Ireland as a cultural powerhouse and a creative production partner on an international scale.” Screen Ireland has also increased its budget to €34 million ($38 million) this year, with plans to further boost it to $42 million in 2024, demonstrating its commitment to the industry.

Attracting international productions

Ireland is already experiencing a surge in visiting productions, partly due to Dublin’s decision to raise the cap for its regular 32 percent rebate. This allows producers to claim back up to €125 million ($138 million) of their local spend per project, up from the previous cap of €70 million ($78 million). This increase has made Ireland an even more attractive destination for international filmmakers.

The future of Irish film and TV

With these new incentives, Ireland is poised to become a major player in the global film and TV industry. The combination of enhanced tax breaks, increased funding, and a supportive government framework creates a fertile environment for both local and international productions. As the country continues to build on its recent successes, the future looks bright for Irish cinema.

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