Irish Film Institute -IFI Announces Three Year Strategy

IFI Announces Three Year Strategy

IFI announces its three year strategy setting out the key objectives for the Irish Film Institute

The IFI today set out its key priorities for the next three years with the publication of IFI Strategy 2013-2016, after an extensive period of consultation with groups of stakeholders including IFI audiences, members, IFI Council, Board, staff, and various funders and partners. Almost 1700 people engaged with the IFI’s consultation process which has resulted in the publication of a new strategy that builds on the IFI’s success in delivering its core aims to exhibit, preserve and educate, and explicitly positions the IFI as ‘the home for film in Ireland’

IFI Chairperson, Eve-Anne Cullinan said “Last year we celebrated 20 years in our Temple Bar home with a great many people who have over the years been integral to the story of the Irish Film Institute. It was wonderful to see so many of those same directors, campaigners, funders and partners engage with our consultation process to shape the IFI’s Future Strategy. 70 years on from when IFI was first established in 1943, we are delighted to publish our IFI Strategy 2013-16, and are grateful to our audiences and all those who engaged in the consultation process ensuring our work is relevant and meaningful for current and future generations.“

Ross Keane, IFI Director said “What was key for us during this strategy development was to engage as many people as possible in a consultation process. With this in mind, we looked to our various constituencies for feedback and input. This allowed us to examine what we do, how we do it, and why we do it. Through this process, key priorities for the organisation began to emerge, and what proved most interesting is that the same topics were highlighted by all of the groups we engaged with which allowed us to form a very clear set of objectives. From these priorities, we have been able to identify a key set of actions to help us achieve our bigger aims.”

The IFI will continue to deliver a challenging and diverse exhibition programme of the best international and Irish film culture through its programme of new releases, curated seasons, festivals and events. The new strategy particularly highlights developing the IFI as a space for critical discussion about film, as well as developing two new initiatives – to develop an annual major celebration and focus on Irish film, and to develop an annual one-day event which will focus on film and television production nationwide. The exhibition strategy also looks to improve facilities to become a centre of excellence in cinema provision.

Strategic priorities for the IFI Irish Film Archive include increasing capacity for preservation and acquisition through the building of a new Research and Preservation Centre at NUI Maynooth, and to play a central role in defining a clear strategy for digitising and preserving Ireland’s moving image and related collections. The IFI Irish Film Archive also seeks to improve access to the collections by making elements available online.

IFI Education will continue to exemplify the best educational practice in film education and promote recognition of film in curricula at all levels and in life-long learning. Core aims include the development of a short course for film for the revised Junior Cycle, and the roll-out of Film Clubs across the country to improve access for young people to cultural film. In a new initiative with the Irish Film Board, more Irish film – and Irish language film – will be made available to schoolchildren direct to the classroom.

IFI National aims to expand its reach throughout the country by working with arts centres and venues nationwide to improve access to IFI curated programmes in more parts of the country. IFI International will promote archival and contemporary Irish cinema through partners and festivals worldwide, paying particular attention to key territories including China in 2014.

The full IFI Strategy Document can be found at www.ifi.ie/strategy

For more media information or to arrange an interview with Ross Keane, IFI Director, please contact Shauna Lyons, Public Affairs and Marketing Director on 01 679 5744 or email slyons@irishfilm.ie.

The IFI acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council.

IFI CINEMAS TODAY


The IFI is supported
by The Arts Council

Arts Council of Ireland