President opens new National Film Building

THE new National Film School Building at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design, and Technology was officially opened last week by President Michael Higgins.

The president cut the red tape at a ceremony attended by leading representatives from Ireland’s film and television industry, higher education, cultural organisations, and Government departments, as well as staff and students.

The e7.5 million Government funded, and film industry sponsored, project provides state-of-the art facilities for education and training in film and television production.

It features two professional TV/film studios with fully HD equipment, one of which has green-screen capabilities and two radio studios, along with control and lecture rooms, a broadcast newsroom, offices and ancillary spaces to support television, film and radio production.

Commenting at the official opening ceremony, Dr Annie Doona, President of IADT, said:

“This facility represents a significant investment for us and for Ireland.

“We have always believed in the words of Benjamin Franklin,

‘an investment in knowledge pays the best investment’.

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She added:

“The opening of today’s facility builds on the amazing success the National Film School has enjoyed since film, television and animation were first taught here in 1984.

“The graduates using these facilities will have all the skills and tools they need to succeed in a vibrant and growing industry.

“The IADT has produced many graduates who have gone on to develop successful careers in film and television in Ireland and internationally. The opening of today’s facility will enable us to support the development of exciting new technologies and help the industry as a whole to seize the creative opportunities it presents.

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The construction project of the National Film School facility was managed by Collen Construction Ltd, and designed by John Parker of ABK Architects.

Other members of the project team included, Homan O’Brien Associates, Punch Consulting Engineers and Healy Kelly Turner Townsend.