Policy & Advocacy
The aim of SPI’s policy and advocacy work is to create the optimum conditions for the growth and sustainability of our industry – both for incoming and indigenous productions. We are leaders within the creative screen sector, advocating policies to increase investment in public service media, Screen Ireland and other funding bodies. We also press for greater financing of the infrastructure that underpins our industry, such as studio development and the upskilling of crews.
We deal directly with the Government and collaborate with other groups in the screen sector to deliver on these goals. By promoting the work of our members to those who can influence change, we hope to illustrate what our industry can achieve when the right supports and investments are in place.
Our policy and advocacy remit sees us working with many different groups and institutions across a wide range of policies and issues. These include:
Future of Media Commission
The Future of Media Commission was set up by the Government to examine and advise on the sustainability of public service media in Ireland. The Commission is expected to submit its recommendations in late 2021.
Audiovisual Media Services Directive 2018 (AVMSD)
The EU’s AVMSD regulates broadcasters and online media services operating across Europe. The Government is currently finalising the Online Media Safety and Regulation Bill which will establish the Directive in Ireland. This will introduce European work quotas and a new content levy for online media services that will bring about increased investment in Irish content.
Copyright Directive
This piece of European legislation is the biggest reform to Irish copyright law since 2000. The Government published the legislation to implement the Directive in November 2021.
Section 481
Section 481 is critical to the Irish independent production ecosystem. It is a competitive film and television tax incentive that benefits indigenous productions and international co-productions. It also provides independent producers with effective leverage to attract incoming productions and create high-value industry jobs in Ireland. SPI deals directly with the Department of Finance on this vital financial support.
Screen Ireland
Screen Ireland is our national screen agency, investing in original Irish storytelling across a variety of genres and formats. Its capital budget is a fundamental driver of original Irish content, and SPI lobbies the Government each year to ensure that adequate funding is allocated to sustain the needs of the industry.
Coimisiún na Meán
The Coimisiún na Meán is the national regulatory body responsible for oversight of the broadcasting sector. It also supports the creation of original Irish content through its Sound and Vision broadcast fund. SPI campaigns for increased funding of the Sound and Vision scheme and participates in Coimisiún na Meán policy development initiatives when appropriate.
Sustainability
SPI policy acknowledges the crucial importance of environmental sustainability and the responsibility of every industry to adopt sustainable practices. Working with the ScreenGreening coalition, we are committed to reducing our industry’s impact on the environment. We encourage and facilitate producers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve greater levels of environmental sustainability in their productions through effective measures like the carbon calculator.
Diversity, Inclusion & Equality
SPI’s Diversity, Inclusion & Equality Committee focuses on these key issues within our industry. The independent production sector has been making strides in increasing representation both on- and off-screen, and the Committee works to prioritise the provision of space for underrepresented voices across the creative screen sector. We believe that diversity targets should be built into more commissioning structures to ensure Irish content accurately reflects the viewers that are tuning in.
Oireachtas
SPI actively engages with Ministers, TDs, Senators and key government departments on policy issues that influence the sustainability and growth of the Irish independent production sector.
CEPI – European Audiovisual Production Association
SPI is a member of CEPI, the only European representative association that includes both independent television and film producers. CEPI serves approximately 8,000 independent production companies and works with the institutions that set pan-European policy for the AV sector. SPI is represented on the Board of CEPI by Anthony Muldoon.
Ibec AV Federation – Audiovisual Ireland
Audiovisual Ireland is the Ibec representative group for the Irish screen industry (including animation, independent film and television production, post-production, television broadcasting and VFX). SPI collaborates with Audiovisual Ireland to sustain and grow the AV sector through joint lobbying, submissions and industry meetings.