Galway’s film status set to ‘yield great opportunities’

Galway’s success last week in securing the UNESCO ‘City of Film’ title will enhance and further embed the city’s reputation as an international creative hub – according to the Western Development Commission.
The designation which is Ireland’s first ‘City of Film’ title, has been warmly welcomed by the WDC, and is widely held as an international achievement not just for Galway, but for Ireland’s film industry.
UNESCO’s ‘Creative Cities Network’ currently encompasses a membership of twenty-eight cities across eighteen countries. The network’s focus is to share best practice, promote creativity and integrate culture into the economic and social development plans of its member cities.
The appointment of Galway as a permanent UNESCO City of Film recognises how important the film industry is to Galway and the Western Region, having the largest audio visual sector outside of Dublin.
Fifty film and television production companies are based in Galway employing over 600 people. Employment in the sector has grown by nearly a quarter (24.5%) and revenue by 18.6% over the past five years. Becoming part of this global network will drive further growth in the film and television industry and the economy of the West.
Speaking about Galway’s new designation, Acting CEO and Head of Regional Development at the WDC, Ian Brannigan commented that “the UNESCO title illustrates the regard with which Galway and its filmmakers are held internationally; undoubtedly it will yield great opportunities for the city and its remarkable talent-base.
“At the WDC, we have long supported the creative and cultural sectors and particularly our regional film capability ”.
The WDC has supported the landmark cinema, the Solas Galway Picture Palace, which is seen as a piece of vital infrastructure for the City of Film. It has also supported pioneering efforts to develop commission-ready feature film scripts through Master Class script-writing opportunities with the Galway Film Centre.
According to Mr Brannigan, the cultural and creative sectors are central to regional economic development and form a significant part of the organisation’s strategy into the future.