Some funding-related musing

The IFB announced another round of funding offers on March 30th. That's almost two months since the last round of offers was made on Feruary 1st.

It would be useful if the agency were to indicate whether these were the dates the decisions were made, or the dates the decisions were published. In the absence of the clarification one might be forgiven for thinking that few funding decisions have been made in the first quarter of 2010.

I was somewhat surprised by the amounts offered by way of distribution (print and advertising) loans to Ondine and Zonad, on March 30th. That is, after the films had been released.

Ondine's distributor Paramount Pictures has been offered a loan of €50,000. Zonad's distributor (and producer) Element Pictures has been offered a loan of €75,000.

Both films have now finished their run at the Irish box office. Ondine has grossed €207,838 while Zonad has grossed approximately €36,000.

A comparatively small number of development loans were offered this round. Just six, including four 'First Draft Loans', with amounts from €10,000 to €20,000.

Interesting to see Brock Norman Brock, British screenwriter (Bronson) and former UK Film Council executive, is the recipient of one of the four €12,000 'First Draft Loans'.