The chief executive of the Irish Film Board, Mark Woods, has resigned after 18 months in his post. He will remain with the board until July, after which he will move to Sydney to take up his new appointment as chief executive of AusFilm, the federation representing the country's production sector and state film agencies to promote film-making in Australia.
"It was not an easy decision," Mr Woods said. "I agonised about it back and forth, but I have had an unforgettable time with the film board. It was so busy I hardly had time to catch my breath for 18 months."
He rejected suggestions that he was leaving because of criticisms from some Irish film producers that he had introduced a more market-driven approach to production decisions. This involved encouraging producers to arrange co-financing from film distributors and sales agents alongside the production loans made by the board.
"Every film agency has its moments," Mr Woods told The Irish Times yesterday, "but I have been tempted back home to Sydney, and that is the beginning, middle and end of the story. I like to think I leave the agency in good shape. I want the agency to move forward in a very productive manner.
"There is no doubt that we told producers that it is a very competitive area in which to get funding and that applications had to be of the highest order. We were very happy to work with them to that end. Some said it was laborious and takes time, and it is laborious and does take time, but it can have very positive results."
"Accepting a prestigious position in Australia was not motivated by frustration," Mr Woods insisted yesterday, "but by the excitement of the job to which I have been appointed in Sydney."