Major Irish Film Production At Risk Over Tax, Says Author

by Jason Gorringe Tax-News.com, London

13 August 2003

Internationally renowned author Eoin Colfer has urged the Irish government to retain tax incentives for film productions shot on location in Ireland, or risk losing a major big budget movie, worth $250 million, to another country.

The warning comes as producers are pondering where to locate the shooting of the adaptation of Colfer's best-selling fantasy novel, Artemis Fowl. According to reports, the production unit has said the project will take place elsewhere unless certain tax incentives remain in place.

“They say they can’t wait until the budget in December and they need confirmation now,” Colfer told the Irish Examiner this week, adding: “I’ve suggested various locations, including Johnstown Castle. The Film Commission is already in place in this area, and it has worked with people such as Mel Gibson and Stephen Spielberg with great success in the past.”

Mr Colfer suggested that the shooting of the film in Ireland would have a knock-on effect on the local economy in terms of increased tourism. “Four million children have already read these books and I believe that many of them would like to come and visit the location on which the film was shot," the author stated .

Mirimax pictures has yet to make a decision on where to locate the production, although it has indicated Irish actors will play a significant role in the film.

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