Policy making & lobbying:
SPI reflects members' concerns and aspirations about a variety of issues affecting the current and future working environment of the independent film, television and animation sectors and communicates these views to the appropriate state, semi-state, and private bodies. It also works with state agencies to promote the industry abroad. Some of the bodies with whom we are in continuous negotiation are RTÉ, TG4, The Irish Film Board, the Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Enterprise Ireland and other relevant Irish and international organisations.
Within the area of Broadcasting SPI ensures that independent producers are dealt with fairly and on sound principles by Irish broadcasters. SPI negotiates the Terms of Trade with RTÉ and TG4. SPI also involves itself in a range of business matters relating to broadcasters dealings with the independent sector.
As the employers organisation, SPI negotiates collective agreements with the unions involved in feature film and TV drama crewing.
In the area of Film, SPI lobbies government departments for a range of supports for the industry including maintaining and expanding tax incentives such as Section 481, and increasing the annual capital grant to the Irish Film Board. We also represent the collective views of production companies to the Board and others. We work with agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and The Irish Film Board to promote the film and TV industry abroad. Occasionally we publish reports and organise discussion forums on the industry and its future development. We also work with Screen Training Ireland to devise training courses for the range of professionals working in both film and TV production.
To continue to monitor the industry and have an accurate listing of Irish productions, SPI would appreciate if members could keep SPI updated on each production as they take place. Members can email brief details including the name of the production, its genre and budget to info@screenproducersireland.com . This information will be kept on file in the SPI office and will treat it in a confidential manner.
SPI's primary objective within the animation sector is to tackle current inadequate levels of funding. SPI lobbies The Irish Film Board and Irish broadcasters regarding support for the sector. SPI lends its support to animation producers to attend international festivals and markets, while also encouraging support from other agencies (e.g. Enterprise Ireland). SPI provides regular feedback to Screen Training Ireland on the range of training needs in the sector.
Providing Information
Screen Producers Ireland also provides members with up-to-date information on developments, opportunities and issues relating to the independent sector in Ireland. This is achieved via email bulletins to members and the SPI website. Our members are also free to contact our office directly with any inquiries and suggestions they may have.
Events and Seminars
SPI plans and co-ordinates some events/seminars a year ranging from Q&A's with commissioning editors from Irish and European broadcasters to events with film distributors. These events are free to members. SPI also manages the Stranger Than Fiction market each year which facilitates meeting for members to pitch to Irish, European and International Commissioning Editors and Sales Agents. This event usually takes place at the end of September each year.