IFI back in profit as it expands screening programme

The Irish Film Institute (IFI) returned to profit in 2015, generating a €32,242 surplus after recording a €75,826 deficit a year earlier.

Income rose to €3.36 million as against €3.21 million in 2014 as the IFI expanded on its programme with more than 5,000 screenings and an attendance approaching 173,000.

The Temple Bar-based centre showed on average just over 30 films a month during 2015, with 154 titles screened, of which, 158 were new releases, up 14.5 per cent versus the previous year.

IFI said it showed 93 exclusive titles during 2015, up 2.2 per cent on 2014. The centre also hosted 7 festivals.

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Public funding

The institute said it costs approximately €3 million a year to deliver its services, of which 25 per cent of the cost is financed by the Arts Council grant, which has been set at €75,000 for the past four years.

The IFI said it remained heavily dependent on funding from public bodies, which it said can sometimes be uncertain. It also said that as the building it resides in on Eustace Street is listed, this provides challenges in relation to maintenance and expansion.

As part of a number of new initiatives, the institute is to move its archive collection to a facility on campus at NUIM shortly.

The IFI employed approximately 78 staff members last year at a total cost of €2.1 million.

“In recent times the IFI has experienced increased costs in all areas and pressure also exists on staffing costs with the absence of pay increases since 2008. This can impact morale and the ability to retain staff,” it said.