IFI PAYING THE ARTISTS & WORKERS POLICY

IFI Paying the Artists & Workers Policy

Effective from: November 2025
Reviewed annually

1. Purpose of the Policy
At IFI, we recognise that artists are the backbone of Ireland’s vibrant film and arts sector. This policy outlines our commitment to fair and equitable payment for all artists and creative professionals who engage with our organisation.We believe that paying artists appropriately is not only a matter of economic necessity but also a sign of respect for the time, labour, and expertise they contribute to the creative process.At IFI, we also believe that all arts workers also deserve fair and equitable pay for the roles they perform to support the arts ecosystem (see section 10).

2. Artists:
Scope of IFI Paying the Artist Policy
At IFI, we define film artists as the creative individuals who contribute to the artistic and expressive aspects of filmmaking. It encompasses a broad range of roles involved in shaping a film’s vision, style, and emotional impact. This includes (but is not limited to) directors, screenwriters, cinematographers, editors, actors, production designers, costume designers and composers. This policy applies to all professional artists and creative professionals engaged by IFI, whether for:

• • • Screenings (shorts & features)
    • Artistic commissions
    • Residencies
    • Workshops, lectures & talks
    • Collaborative or developmental projects
    • Jury or panel participation
    • Educational screenings & events
    • Any creative or intellectual contribution (including rights holders)This includes both freelance and contract-based work.

3. Guiding Principles of IFI Paying the Artist policy
Our policy is based on the following principles:

1. • • Fair Pay for Fair Work
       We commit to ensuring that all artists are compensated fairly, in line with industry standards and the professional nature of their contributions.
     • Transparency
       All agreements will clearly outline the scope of work, time commitment, and fees involved. Fees will be discussed at the earliest stage possible in any engagement
     • Respect for Professional Standards
       We align our rates and practices with relevant national guidelines – including but not limited to the Arts Council’s ‘Paying the Artist’ Policy (2020).
     • Equity and Inclusion
       We recognise the additional barriers faced by some artists, particularly those from underrepresented or marginalised communities. We commit to equitable engagement and remuneration practices that reflect the diversity of contemporary Ireland. Further information in this regard can be found in our EDI Policy & Action Plan 2025-29.

4. Payment Structure
With film distribution, the majority of artist fees are paid through the distributor/box office splits. These are negotiated on a case-by-case basis as per industry norms. The same applies to online events presented on IFI platforms. At times, other supports can be offered in lieu (or in part) of payment. Examples of this can include covering guest travel and accommodation.The following section provides some indicative and baseline rates. However, there are always exceptions based on the scope of the project and the time involved.

• • Theatrical screenings of Irish titles
    For events that are not negotiated with a distributor or sales agent:Direct Distribution (i.e. films represented by producers with no distributor on board on its initial release): 35% of box office to the filmmaker for first and second week; 30% for third week; 25% for fourth and subsequent weeks.Standalone screenings e.g. Irish Focus: 30% of box office to the filmmaker; up to 10 complimentary tickets (dependent on cinema size).IFI National (e.g. Local Films for Local People): Film programmes curated from the IFI Irish Film Archive are offered to exhibition partners typically in regional arts centres and at annual film festivals. IFI does not charge partners for provision of these programmes. IFI secures screening permission from rights holders but does not pay screening fees. If fees are requested by rights holders, these charges are forwarded to exhibition partners.IFI International: Fees negotiated with Irish-based distributors and film artists as appropriate to screening context – or with international sales agents/distributors. Some screening fees are covered by IFI through grant support from Culture Ireland.

• • Festivals
    For the majority of IFI’s self-produced festivals, fees for international films are, in the most part, negotiated with international sales agents and/or distributors. Screening fees for festivals can often be waived or reduced when IFI contributes to travel and accommodation costs for the filmmakers and/or talent.For Irish artists with distribution, box office splits are negotiated in the usual manner. For Irish titles in festivals without distribution, a baseline figure of 30% of box office is offered alongside an allocation of 6 tickets. As always, fees may change depending on any requirement to support travel and accommodation for screening attendance.

• • Shorts
    For short films without distribution, we offer a flat fee of €50 per film screening, alongside four complimentary tickets to filmmakers.

• • Online platforms
    In the most part, screening fees for IFI online platforms (IFI@Home, IFI@Schools, IFI International) are negotiated with sales agents and/or distributors. For the DFTS Channel (Drama, Film & Theatre Studies) for schools, fees for the prescribed films and theatre pieces are negotiated directly with distributors/sales agents or with the theatre companies directly (who in turn remunerate the various artists involved in the production). All fees follow industry norms for education screenings and dare title dependent.

• • For Irish films with or without distribution, income from these presentations is generally calculated as:
  • IFI@Home: 50/50 box office split
  • IFI International: 100% to Filmmaker (through the support of the Culture Ireland grant)

• • Speakers fees
    Generally IFI does not pay filmmakers any fee to talk about their own films. This is seen as part of the promotion of their own work.Other speakers/contributors may include film practitioners, journalists, academics and others. Speakers contributing in a professional capacity as part of their employment would not be remunerated for their contribution. IFI will often invite Board or Council members to participate in talks/panels, and this service would be seen as part of their contribution to IFI.Others – journalists, academics etc who may be hosting an event outside of their normal work obligations or on their own time – may be offered payment.Outside of above exceptions, we pay Q&A hosts €50, panellists €100, and €150 for extended presentations e.g. evening course speakers or for hosting more significant panels, career interviews etc.For some education events, filmmakers and artists give their time for free to support young people.

• • Music & musicians
    Cine-concerts musicians are remunerated in line with industry norms. Fees range depending on the scope of the project and time required. Fees range from €300-700.Music artists are also supported through (payments to IMRO of) 1% of cinema box office, 2.5% of all IFI@Home box office, and a further flat fee is also made for all music played within the venue. We also pay musicians performing at events standard industry performance rates depending on the scope/length of performance etc. (typical rate for a 90 minute set would range between €500-600)

• • Submission fees
    IFI does not charge fees to filmmakers who submit their films for screening consideration. Partner festivals and organisations with whom the IFI works and whose events are presented at the IFI may differ in this regard.

• • Others
    Translators; depending on the scope of the event, €200-€250 per Q&A.
    Festival Narrators; for reading subtitles for family events: €100 per screening.
    Festival Artists; for artwork created for foyer dressing: €400
    Photographers/videographers: for events, range from €300-400.

• • Partner organisations
    We work with a wide variety of partner organisations and creative professionals in delivering certain aspects of our programme. Fees (if applicable) for these services are project-dependant. Fees/box office splits depend on the nature of the partnership and the level of support and costs incurred by IFI (e.g. venue costs, IFI staffing, marketing collateral produced etc.). Some partnerships operate in a pure hire capacity where box office revenue is fully retained by the partner organisation/creative professional and a flat fee is paid to the IFI for services/space provided. In other circumstances, a box office split is agreed. The specifics of these agreements are developed on a case-by-case basis, with fairness for all parties being the underlying principle of the negotiation.

5. Contracts and Agreements
All engagements will be confirmed in writing via Email, a Letter of Agreement or Contract, detailing:

• • Scope of work
  • Timeline and deliverables
  • Fee and payment terms
  • Rights and ownership (if applicable)
  • Cancellation or withdrawal clauses

6. Payment Schedule
All invoices should be sent to accounts@irishfilm.ie following the event/engagement/completed work, and payment will be made within 7 days of receipt of invoice. Payment can only be made on receipt of an invoice and will be made 7 days after the event or receipt of the invoice whichever is later. Invoices should include the following information:

• • Name and address
  • Vat reference if registered
  • Description of services
  • Date
  • Bank account details to which payment is to be made

7. In-kind Contributions
In cases where in-kind support is offered in lieu of payment (e.g. screening space, travel, accommodation, hospitality, tickets, promotional support etc.), this will be:

• • Clearly communicated and agreed upon
  • Of tangible and equivalent value

8. Arts Workers: IFI Staff Pay Policy
At IFI, we also believe that all arts workers also deserve fair and equitable pay for the roles they perform to support the arts ecosystem. We define ‘arts workers’ as all those who have chosen a career in the arts and who work in arts administration from programming to finance, from marketing to venue operations, and everything in between that supports an arts organisation. For IFI specifically, our ‘arts workers’ are the staff of the organisation. The IFI Pay Policy for its staff outlines how the IFI ensures a fair, transparent, and competency-based approach to pay, salary progression, and career development. It aligns with best practice, complies with relevant employment legislation, and supports our organisational values.The policy is designed to:

• • Ensure equity and fairness in pay decisions.
  • Recognise and reward competency growth and performance.
  • Provide clear salary band structures linked to job roles and responsibilities.
  • Support career progression through transparent pay scale adjustments.Principles of the IFI Staff Pay Policy
    Our pay structure is built on the following core principles:
  • Fairness & Equity
    Ensuring there is no discrimination based on any protected characteristic and equal pay for equal work.
  • Transparency
    Employees understand how pay decisions are made, with clear competency-based progression pathways.
  • Competency & Performance-Based Progression
    Salary progression is linked to demonstrated competency growth.At IFI, we believe that all those who contribute to our vibrant cultural life – the artists and the arts workers – deserve fair pay and working conditions.

However, for the purposes of the rest of this policy document, we will focus on fair and equitable payment for the artists and creative professionals who engage with our organisation.

9. Funding Considerations
We acknowledge that public funding comes with responsibilities. All grant applications and project proposals submitted by IFI will include adequate artist fees, ensuring budgets reflect the true cost of artistic labour.The IFI is a registered charity and relies on public funding in order to deliver on its various strategies and policies. The IFI’s commitment to fair and equitable payment for all artists and creative professionals who engage with our organisation, and all the arts workers we employ, is also dependant on the levels of our own funding support.

10. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually in consultation with the IFI Board and Executive to reflect:

• • Changes in IFI’s funding levels
  • Changes in industry standards
  • Evolving practices in artist engagement
  • Feedback from artists and collaborators

11. Commitment
IFI is committed to fostering a professional, respectful, and sustainable environment for artists and all arts workers to create, share, and thrive.

November 2025