Louth Animation Ireland members call for investment to uplift sector

Animation Ireland, the representative trade body for Ireland’s animation studios across the island, including Elk Studios in Dundalk, says it is genuinely concerned for their future in the regions and is calling on Government to take action for the industry.

In its pre-Budget 2025 submission to the Government, Animation Ireland asks for investment to uplift the animation sector here, so it can thrive and grow. Key to this, it says, is that Government take steps to re-imagine and re-launch the Regional Film Development Uplift at 8% ring fenced for a minimum of 10 years.

The reintroduction of a regional tax incentive may take time to implement, it adds, so in the meantime Animation Ireland and its members say they would like to see the establishment of an Interim Regional Audiovisual Development Fund of €10 million and the funding of a Regional Department within Screen Ireland.

Animation Ireland goes on to say that Ireland has been the envy of animation, film and creative communities across the world, and that Government investment in the form of tax credits has contributed immensely to Ireland’s globally celebrated, awarded and commercially successful animation and live action sector. But without targeted tax incentives it adds, especially for the regions, our domestic market would simply not have the resources to bring our stories to the world.

Ian Hamilton, founder of Elk Studios in Dundalk says: “Elk Studios is a production studio located in the rural, innovative town of Dundalk. We are a boutique studio that brings a wealth of experience from other high profile studios and projects. Our mission is to foster a key creative hub in the country that is already known for its positive work/life balance and excellent employee welfare.

“We work to produce the highest quality content in partnership with other studios globally. Our size and our unique location is our strength, our studio is only an hour from Dublin and Belfast, our crew have great opportunities for weekend excursions to see the rest of the country, Dundalk is the main town of the Cooley Peninsula, containing the Cooley Mountains where you can hike or mountain bike, nice beaches for swimming or kayaking, a lively indie arts community and for those who prefer indoors; as part of Dundalk’s “Innovation Town” status - high speed internet access! A happy crew is a productive crew.

“Locating in Dundalk is important to us, it decentralises industries, reverts the infrastructure strain on Dublin and other cities in the country. Basing ourselves in the regions, creates a balanced distribution of the economy throughout the country, preventing major urban hubs from becoming bottle necks.

“Innovation will prosper in the regions, as people can enjoy work life balance - remote working allows individuals to connect with others all over the country, while Region living / working eases the commute to work, encouraging people to come back into the office.”

Focused on Kilkenny, Galway, Clare, Louth and Roscommon, Animation Ireland says that the Regional Film Development Uplift proved to be of enormous benefit in driving the Irish animation industry forward:

• It enabled the animation industry to expand studio presence into regions across the island of Ireland
• It created jobs in animation beyond the greater Dublin area
• It drove regional talent bases, creating work opportunities for animation professionals
• It grew regional skills, creating learning opportunities for students in those regions
• It provided long-term continuous employment in the regions
• It delivered an understanding of Ireland’s regions as highly viable locations for remote and hybrid work in animation
• It brought people from all over the world to live, work and lay down roots in the regions
• It increased opportunities for participation
• It helped revitalise local communities and uplift local economies
• It fed into other domestic and European strategies such as the Smart Specialisation Strategy for the Digital Creative Industries, the National Broadband Strategy and Regions of Enterprise initiatives.

Animation Ireland concludes by saying that it needs all the support it can get to ensure that the regional development of Ireland’s animation industry is not left behind. See the full Animation Ireland Pre-Budget 2025 Submission at https://animationireland.com/