Our locations are primarily first and foremost private homes or private spaces, so any event hosted within them needs to respect that fact.
We have some key guidelines below on running events in our spaces:
1. PROFESSIONAL EVENT MANAGEMENT REQUIRED
All events must be coordinated and overseen by a professional event management company or PR agency. Private, unmanaged gatherings are not permitted.
2. CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS
As the majority of our properties are residential, capacities are limited and will be confirmed per property. Event managers are responsible for ensuring numbers do not exceed the agreed capacity.
3. LIABILITY & LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY
The event management company or PR agency is solely responsible for the safety and conduct of all guests, staff and contractors. Homeowners must not be held liable for incidents, accidents, or damages that occur during an event. The event coordinator is responsible for securing all necessary insurances, licenses and permits required by law. Any events with children in attendance must be pre-approved by the homeowner and the event manager is responsible for adequate permissions, licenses, insurances and chaperones to comply to local law.
4. ALCOHOL & BEVERAGES
If permitted by the owner in advance, alcohol service must be kept minimal and well-managed. Red wine is not permitted inside the properties. The event manager is responsible for controlling consumption and ensuring responsible service.
5. FOOD & CATERING
Food and drink may be served and prepped on-site, but no cooking is permitted in the property kitchens. All catering must be done via professional suppliers and must follow health and safety standards. Any catering setup that needs extensive power must be arranged in advance and come with it’s own generator.
6. INTERIOR CARE
All interior finishes, furniture, and surfaces must be treated with utmost caution. Protective measures (such as coverings, mats or guards) should be used wherever appropriate. Any damages will be charged back to the event company.
7. NOISE & NEIGHBOURS
Noise levels must be kept within reasonable limits in respect of local residents. Curfews may apply depending on the location — these will be agreed in advance. Any form of music or performance – DJ / bands / instrumentalists / dancers / acrobatics etc – must be approved in advance by the owner.
8. ACCESS & SETUP
Deliveries, load-ins and breakdowns must be scheduled to minimize disruption to the neighborhood and owner’s time. The event manager is responsible for supervising all vendors and contractors as well as being on site to sign for any deliveries. Please factor in what setup days/times you need in order for us to quote correctly.
9. CLEAN UP & WASTE
All waste must be removed from the property by the event company immediately after the event. The property must be left in the same condition as found. Please factor in what clean up days/times you need in order for us to quote correctly.
10. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS
Smoking and vaping is not permitted on the property internally or externally including externally on public path where there are neighbouring properties. Open flames, fireworks, or hazardous materials are strictly prohibited. Any unusual or high-risk installations must be pre-approved.
You can submit your space for review by our team here.
Please select 5 high-quality photos that clearly showcase the interior of the space. While we occasionally receive requests for impressive exteriors or landscapes, these are almost always paired with the need for a strong interior for practical shooting purposes. It’s also important that your photos include both the floor and ceiling in the frame—this helps us assess the height and overall suitability of the space. Close-up detail shots aren’t necessary at this stage.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY SPACE IS ACCEPTED?
Once your property is approved, you’ll receive a welcome email and begin our onboarding process. You’ll get access to the SoScout Dashboard, where you can manage your location profile. As part of onboarding, you’ll complete an Intake Form, a House Rules form and sign our Location Agreement Contract, which outlines the terms and conditions for being on the platform. Through your Dashboard, you’ll also upload your photos and any available floorplans and update your contact details. If you need support with setting rates, we’re here to help guide you through the pricing process via the Instant Chat in your Dashboard.
CAN I WORK FROM HOME WHEN I HAVE A SHOOT?
For still shoots, absolutely, in fact we recommend that a property owner remain present if possible. Working from home is ideal. However it is not recommended in the case of audio recording, film productions and interview recordings.
DO I HAVE TO OFFER THE WHOLE PROPERTY?
No, most shoots only require certain areas for a shoot. Access to spaces will be stipulated in the Location Release Contract we create for your location however the spaces available as standard should be reflected with the rate.
There is no sign up fee. When a booking is secured there is a minimum 4% admin and booking fee.
HOW MUCH CAN I EARN FROM A SHOOT?
Depending on the property, location and the nature of the shoot it can be anywhere from €600 to €2K per day, based on a standard day of 9-5,
DO I PAY TAX?
SoScout will charge VAT for services for each booking but it is up to each property owner to review their personal tax requirements.
HOW & WHEN DO I RECEIVE PAYMENT?
SoScout aims to pay out the fees due to each property owner on the last Friday of each month directly in to the account details provided by the property owner unless otherwise indicated on the booking confirmation.
The property should be clean and organised and reflect the photos provided on the website. Remove all personal items that you do not want to be interfered with. The bathrooms should be fully stocked with toilet roll and hand soap. The crew should have access to tea/coffee making facilities and drinking water. Bin liners, kitchen roll and handcloths should be left out. No guests, kids or pets to be present during a shoot. A property owner or their nominated contact must be present on the day(s) of booking at the start time and at the wrap time indicated.
HOW LONG DOES A SHOOT TYPICALLY LAST?
A standard shoot day is 9 to 5 but each shoot can require an earlier or later start. There are some shoots that require more than one day but each enquiry will be reviewed with the property owner prior to finalising a booking.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE ARE DAMAGES?
All productions are required to have insurance and will be responsible for any damages incurred by them. This will be included in each property owners T&Cs and contract. SoScout Agency Ltd do not carry insurance for bookings. SoScout Agency Ltd facilitate a process that ensures each production agrees that they are responsible for the insurance of all cast and crew on location and that they cover all costs for damages incurred.
CAN I CANCEL BOOKING?
Yes but we urge as much notice as possible as it has a serious knock on affect. When you sign up you to be a location property reliability is essential. Productions prepare and commit to a number of sub contractors and a cancellation can cause severe loss of monies. Any bookings cancelled within 48 hours of the shoot day will incur a fine. Please refer to the cancellation policy
A cancellation fee of €125 fee will be charged to the Booking Agent/Producer if notice of cancellation is not received at least 48 hours prior to the first scheduled entry onto the Location. The cancellation fee shall apply if canceled for any reason, other than bona fide force majeure, which is defined as an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties, such as a war, strike, riot, crime, or an event described by the legal term “act of God” (e.g., flooding, earthquake, volcano) which prevents one or both parties from fulfilling their obligations under this contract. Any cancellations that do not fall within 48 hours notice will not be refunded.
We are a curated platform of shoot-ready spaces and location homes for the Film, Ad, TV, Event & Content Creation industries.
We unlock the door to previously inaccessible spaces for creatives to use in the Film, PR, Ad, TV & Content Creation industries, helping to bring your vision to life. Say goodbye to time consuming & stressful scouting – our vetted & prepped locations, solid contracts and quick response times streamline your pre-production process and ensure a reliable day on shoot.
We understand that locations are more than just spaces to shoot, they help shape and underpin the narrative. Your next photoshoot and filming locations are waiting for you in our inspiring location library.
OUR VETTED LOCATIONS
We identify reliable properties with strong potential for film and photography shoots. Each space undergoes a thorough review and we create detailed specification info & house rules for each hire. With an understanding of what producers, brands and photographers need, we also help guide property owners through the process and prepare them for working within the industry.
HOW DOES SOSCOUT SIMPLIFY THE LOCATION SCOUTING & HIRING PROCESS?
Whether you need an industrial setting for a brand shoot or a luxury estate for a period drama, SoScout ensures every location is fully prepared. We maintain clear agreements and open communication with property owners to eliminate surprises like last-minute cancellations or missing on-site essentials. Beyond managing calendars, bookings, contracts and invoicing, we also offer tailored location recommendations and support to help you meet your client’s brief with confidence.
Your property could be the perfect location for film & photographic shoots – so often homeowners don’t realise the potential their property has. No matter how much you love your home, living in it can make it feel ‘ordinary’ – you may have become used to its character and personality. But filmmakers, photographers and creatives are out there in an ever-changing creative landscape where audiences are craving authentic creative content and they need real locations to work in. While your property remains in hiding, creatives could be missing out on an incredible location and you could be missing out on the opportunity for extra income and the creative reward of seeing your property through someone else’s eyes. SoScout is Ireland’s first ‘shoot ready’ location property service connecting location seekers with location owners. We cater specifically to the production industry by vetting and preparing “shoot-friendly” properties, read on to see if your property could be next on our list.
WHAT QUALITIES ARE IMPORTANT?
The most important thing we look for in a property is space – simply put, the crew need room to work in. It doesn’t have to be vast but if a space is very small or very cluttered, it’s impossible for the crew to use it. Even ‘normal’ homes need to be relatively spacious.
The next most important thing is the space’s personality. Stunning backdrops not only impress an audience, but they play a huge part in telling the story the creatives want to communicate. The perfect location is easy to work in and has the right personality to elevate their product or service – aligning their brand with that personality gives them an edge that can’t always be measured.
The unique characteristics or aesthetic a home may have is difficult to define but our Scouts know when they see a property if it’s got that je ne sais quoi. Distinctive features might be the immediately impactful ones like cast concrete or authentic Georgian elements or they could be more subtle like luscious natural wood or an eclectic mix of furniture and decorative details. Distinctive features can capture a creative’s imagination and lend character, style, or a sense of uniqueness to a shoot.
VERSATILITY & FUNCTIONALITY
A creative eye will spot endless possibilities in a space, but versatility is also something that we look for – an adaptable space will be highly sought after because each creative crew can make it their own. Indoors, this can mean large spaces that can accommodate lighting set ups or it could mean multiple visual backdrops within the same property – for example a period home with original features paired with a sleek modern kitchen and dining room extension. Differing styles and moods give huge flexibility for shoots. Outdoor areas are often something that a creative will look for in addition to the indoor location – it may be a sweeping private landscape, a rooftop terrace or a cosy outdoor garden.
If a crew is looking for a space where they can record video interviews they’ll want somewhere with predictable and controllable noise levels. Great acoustics are created by the space’s shape, furnishings and surfaces, even plants. Equally, while some crews will bring a full studio lighting set up, others will be looking for an abundance of natural light or interesting ways that light can fall in a space.
When SoScout is considering a location or property we make notes of all of these aspects so that creatives and crews can be fully informed and understand the space before they book. We take note of accessibility, privacy, parking and local amenities like shops and restaurants so that crews can make their plans. The property owners let us know which spaces are available and which are off limits, as well as what furniture can be moved and under what conditions. This is all agreed and communicated so that everyone knows what to expect.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO THE PROPERTY OWNER?
When a property is listed on SoScout’s booking platform it can have huge benefits to the property owner beyond an additional income stream. It can create indirect marketing opportunities for the owner’s business – be that the property itself or their own services. This can be subtle but impactful. You might be involved in the creative industries yourself and growing your network is always good for business.
The financial gains can’t be overlooked though – the flexibility of being able to hire out your property during daytime hours without even short-term overnight stays means that you earn without having to compromise how you use the space.
Then there’s the buzz of seeing a space that you’ve crafted, and given huge thought to, used in a new creative endeavor – it can inspire your vision for your property in new ways, or just give an ego boost! Celebrating the space’s character and witnessing the unique narratives created within it can be deeply satisfying. And speaking of ego, having your property used as a film location or for a prestigious brand photoshoot can not only give you something to boast about but it can also potentially elevate the value of your property.
Paul Gregg favourite room in Phibsboro. Loft.
Photo: Tony Gavin 18/3/2015
WHAT IF YOU ARE APPROACHED BY A SCOUT?
Location scouts are always looking for new locations to suit their upcoming projects and they may find your property without it being listed on a directory such as SoScout. If that happens, you’re very welcome to contact us. We can help you navigate the contract, offer you some helpful advice and we’re always happy to represent you too, if that’s what you’re looking for.
Being approached by a production ad hoc can be very new territory. It’s very exciting AND it’s also very important to remember that you have rights, and that there are risks involved too.
Your fundamental right when approached by a location scout is to ask for as much information as they can give you about the production – and then if, for any reason, you aren’t comfortable with the nature of the project or the terms, you are well within your rights to decline the request.
If you choose to proceed to negotiations, there are some things you should bear in mind – some examples might include:
Usage: You can specify restrictions on which areas of your property can be used, which parts of the property are accessible to crew and which parts are off limits.
Payment terms: Agreeing the fee, as well as how and when the payment(s) will be made.
Compensation & Insurance: Potential disruptions and general wear & tear may need to be accounted for if the project is more than one day, and all production crews should have their own insurance against damages to the property, as well as accident/ injury on set. When this has been hashed out, you’ll get a contract – this is to protect your interests and clearly outline expectations. Communication and clarity is incredibly important at this stage. All agreements should be signed by both parties before the production begins to ensure legal protection.
WHAT SHOULD THE CONTRACT COVER?
Usage terms: A detailed description of what the space will be used for (e.g., film, photography, commercial production). Depending on the nature of the shoot, the location of your property and how you will be using it while shooting is happening, you may also want to include a clause here about noise levels.
Duration of Shoot: Specific dates and times that the production team will have access to the property. This can also include time restrictions for production hours e.g. no late-night filming, only shooting during certain hours.
Fees and Payment Schedule: Agreed-upon rates, deposit requirements, and payment dates. This may also include a refundable security deposit.
Insurance Coverage: Confirmation that the production company has valid public liability insurance in case of damage or injury on the premises.
Property Protection: Rules about moving furniture or wall hangings, how surfaces should be protected and about making any temporary alterations.
Crew Size and Access Restrictions: The number of people permitted, which rooms or areas are off-limits.
Cancellation and Liability Clause: Terms surrounding cancellations, unforeseen delays, and liability protections for both parties.
Restoration Clause: Guarantees that the property will be returned to its original condition after filming.
Overruns and Unexpected Extensions: Productions may exceed their scheduled shoot time, leading to extended use of your property. Your contract should include late fees to account for this possibility.
HOW ARE FEES AGREED & PAID?
Fees vary depending on the type of shoot, the duration, and the specific requirements of the production. Fees may be hourly, daily or project-based, depending on the usage conditions. Once the fee structure has been negotiated and agreed, you may require a deposit payment, as well as a refundable security deposit. The contract should specify payment terms, and whether payment is made in-full before the shoot, staged or in installments. If a production cancels at short notice, agreements may include compensation terms for lost income.
Property owners may be requested to issue an invoice to the production company before payment is made, and remember – it is up to each property owner to review their personal tax requirements.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
Working with a production can be rewarding, however, there are a few risks to be aware of and should be accounted for and contracted for beforehand.
Property Damage: Large crews, equipment setups, and heavy foot traffic may cause unintended wear and tear. Ensure the contract covers restoration costs and insurance protections.
Disturbance and Noise: Filming can be disruptive, especially if it requires loud sounds, long hours, or significant activity outside regular business or residential hours.
Liability Concerns: If someone is injured on the property, liability protections should be in place to prevent legal issues. The production company should have proper insurance.
Privacy Issues: Your home or business may be visible in widely distributed media, which could impact personal or professional privacy. Note, SoScout requires context images of each property showing the approach and exteriors of the property, but they are not publicly available on our website.
Contract Disputes: Vague terms or missing clauses can lead to misunderstandings regarding payment, damages, or usage. Always ensure a detailed, legally sound contract is in place.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING LISTED WITH SOSCOUT?
SoScout’s website is a go-to for industry creatives looking for access to a mind-blowing selection of the most inspiring and exciting locations in the country. The creator economy is booming and the people within it are always innovating in terms of how they communicate with their audiences – locations can make or break a shoot and they know that.
Our mission is to make location scouting a breeze for professionals and to make hiring out your property stress-free. Comprehensive agreements and clear communication are the backbone of our operations – creatives know exactly what they’re working with so they don’t have to deal with unexpected problems on set and property owners can trust that their space will be well taken care of. Flexibility for our property owners is also really important to us – they have full control over how and when the property is hired out.
Your property could be our next star listing, get in touch with us to find out more about working with us.
Intimate. Immersive. Resonant. Captivating. Memorable. Beautiful. Aligned. When planning a brand event or product launch, this is the vision. But where? It’s all been done before – the hotel ballroom, the conference room, the exhibition hall… And while the ballroom may be glamorous, and the corporate suite is spacious, these rooms are specifically designed to appeal to everyone, offend noone and are often lacking in personality – meaning you don’t just have to design the event itself, you have to design the visuals of the space as well. Brands are looking elsewhere and we’ve got the in.
MORE THAN A VENUE – A STORYTELLING EXPERIENCE
As the creator economy grows and grows, and brands are increasingly prioritising authentic storytelling, the choice of location for a brand event plays a vital role. Much the same as when the content that built the brand is being created, the space an event is held in is more than just a backdrop, it grounds the entire experience in emotion and narrative. The goal is to create an atmosphere where influencers, media and guests feel like they’re part of something exclusive – thoughtfully intimate and most definitely not a launch by numbers.
Real life, characterful spaces whose personality aligns with the personality of the brand does so much more than hold the space. When you find the space for your product launch or to promote your product, a lot of the visual design of the event is taken care of. All that’s left for you to do is make sure the right people get there and that they have a great time!
And they will – real-life, authentic-feeling spaces provide a deeper emotional connection, allowing guests to experience the brand in a real-life setting that aligns deeply with the brand’s aesthetic and values, rather than a neutral, corporate environment. These events feel more personal – encouraging natural conversations, organic content creation, and genuine interactions between guests.
WHAT MAKES A SPACE SUITABLE FOR EVENTS?
Not all residential properties are suited for large-scale events. Just like location scouting for a shoot, choosing the right event space requires careful consideration:
Capacity & Layout: Can the space accommodate the number of guests comfortably?
Accessibility: Is parking and transport sufficient for invitees?
Lighting & Aesthetics: Does the space visually enhance the brand’s message?
Facilities: Are catering, seating, and tech requirements met?
When done right, brands align their event locations with their identity, ensuring the setting reinforces their vision instead of working against it.
MATCHING LOCATION SEEKES WITH LOCATION OWNERS
Many property owners are open to hosting brand activations, but clear expectations and preparation are key. SoScout acts as the bridge between brand visionaries and property owners, ensuring smooth execution and contractual agreements.
This also eliminates last-minute disruptions. Just as a well-prepped shoot location prevents setbacks, a vetted event space ensures a seamless experience for the brand and its guests.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE CREATOR ECONOMY ON EVENTS
The creator economy has reshaped not just content production, but also experiential marketing. Brands are now seeking immersive, influencer-driven events where behind-the-scenes footage becomes part of the campaign.
Product launches and brand activations are storytelling moments designed for digital creation and consumption. When hosted in a well-chosen space, influencers, guests, and media will need no encouragement to create social content or create audience interactions – the space becomes an essential part of the brand’s digital storytelling strategy.
Consumers crave authenticity, creators drive innovation, and brands that integrate immersive storytelling into their events will thrive in the new era of engagement. If live events that encourage real-time, authentic, digital content creation and an experience that guests will talk about are the dream for your brand, get in touch to start planning your event now.
Finding the perfect location for your next shoot should be one of the easiest things on your pre-production plan. But getting access to inspiring and exciting shoot settings can be tricky – permissions, access information and hiring agreements can be hard to pin down and vague at best. This makes shooting on-location a pain and can end up costing more than budgeted in the long run. The alternative is to hire a studio, but studios aren’t always what the brand needs and add-ons soon add up.
MAKING LOCATION SCOUTING EASY – AND EXCITING
SoScout’s mission is to make your search a breeze – we think the hardest thing will be deciding which location to choose. We’re the first Irish-based ‘shoot ready’ location property service connecting location seekers with location owners. When you search, shortlist and hire your location through SoScout, you get access to some of the most exciting and impressive properties available – and all of them are fully vetted, informed and shoot-ready.
Whether you’re searching for an industrial vibe for a brand video or a luxurious estate to stage a product photo shoot, SoScout makes sure every property is ready to go. With tight hiring agreements and clear communication with property owners, we take the guesswork out of location scouting. This also prevents heartbreaking scenarios like last-minute cancellations or discovering key resources aren’t available on-site.
THE BOOMING CREATOR ECONOMY
The creator economy is booming – The New Yorker called 2024 ‘The Year The Creators Took Over’. The last decade has seen the creatives among us gain access to an abundance of creative tools, allowing us to dream so much bigger in terms of what we can create – and most importantly, we have access to our own audiences too.
While creative agencies are thriving too, big and small, they are no longer the gatekeepers of talent and resources. Creators can make their own high quality work, and make it their way. And in an era when creators are up against ‘AI slop’, it’s more important than ever to have video and image content that stops the scroll and feels unmistakably real.
Part of this continuing boom is the constant innovation within the market – smaller brands and agencies have the capacity to pivot quickly to what their audience is looking for, this also builds and sustains trust in the brand.
THE NEW ERA OF CREATIVE STORYTELLING
This capacity to shift quickly has fundamentally changed the way we tell stories online now. Audiences want to be a part of the process as well as the final product.
Viewers are craving authenticity and nothing screams real like behind the scenes footage that brings the audience into the overall story and shows them just how authentic the work is, and shooting in a stunning location makes it easier for crew to get those all-important BTS shots.
A great location grounds your content in a specific mood, context or narrative – those sweeping landscapes, cosy textures or luxurious surfaces are doing more than providing a backdrop, they’re part of the fabric of the story.
WHY LOCATIONS CAN MAKE OR BREAK A SHOOT
When you have a vision for what you want to create, finding the perfect location can get left down the list of things to do because it can be (used to be) one of the most difficult. The easy option is always to hire a studio – but when your vision is for something more visually intricate than a white box or a paper backdrop, studio settings often just won’t cut it. What we often hear from our clients is that the space brings new ideas to life for them – when the location is already styled, with its own unique flair and character, it can give room to your concept to develop and expand – often exceeding its original potential. Original concept plus SoScout location is equal to much, much more than the sum of its parts.
SoScout gives you access to a mind-blowing selection of the most inspiring and exciting locations in the country – and internationally. As you scroll, swipe, heart and shortlist locations, you know that every single one of them is available to you and your crew. Search by style, location, budget – you’re guaranteed to find something stunning. Or don’t set any filters and let the location inspire your vision!
SoScout prepares the location owner so they know what’s required of them to ensure that your shoot experience is seamless.
ELEVATING BRANDS THROUGH EXCEPTIONAL BACKDROPS
Stunning backdrops not only impress your audience, but they play a huge part in telling the story of your brand. The perfect location is easy to work in and also sets the right vibe for your brand – it tells your audience exactly who you are and what your brand means.
Finding a location with the right personality elevates your product or service – aligning your brand with that personality gives you an edge that can’t always be measured. That just-right setting for your shoot does a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to communicating your message and attracting the right audience.
At SoScout we like to think of ourselves as match-makers – helping you to find your brand’s location soulmate! Whether your vibe is colourful and energetic, eclectic and warm, or contemporary and earthy – we’ve got you covered.
THE FUTURE OF CONTENT CREATION
The creative economy and content creation is set to grow by over 22% in 2025 alone, with over 50 million independent creators worldwide. Creators are the driving force behind this growth, constantly innovating to meet the demands of an ever-changing digital and social landscape. These small but mighty powerhouses, combine strategic planning with bold, creative ideas and continue to produce campaigns that are fresh, authentic and deeply resonate with their audience. And the unsung hero of this compelling content? The location!
The creator economy is continuing to reshape the world of content creation – agile agencies, brands and independent creatives are responding in real time to what their audiences need and in doing so, they’re keeping their viewers engaged and loyal. At the heart of this authentic storytelling and creative excellence are the phenomenal locations that we strive to bring to the table. With the perfect location, your vision can come to life, creating new possibilities for your product or service along with it.
Start planning your next shoot right now with SoScout.
Filming in Ireland offers a wide array of settings only a short flight from the East Coast of the United States – locations vary from sweeping landscapes to cobblestoned Georgian streets, quaint stone farmhouses to splendid manors. Ireland has long been a favoured shoot location for international production companies, boasting the likes of blockbuster features such as Game of Thrones and Star Wars.
IRELAND’S INCENTIVES
As film location scouts, we know that one of the key factors that make Ireland an attractive location for hire is the generous tax breaks offered by the Irish government. These incentives, coupled with the country’s unique scenery and professional production services, makes filming in Ireland a lucrative proposition. At the heart of Ireland’s film incentives program lies the Section 481 Film Tax Credit, a generous tax relief designed to support film and television productions that choose to shoot in the country.
The film relief includes the production of feature films, short films of feature quality, television dramas, animations, and creative documentaries. Under this scheme, eligible productions can benefit from a tax credit of up to 32% of eligible Irish expenditure.
In addition, the Irish legislation specifies that a special purpose production company, referred to as a qualifying company, is set up for each film and that the costs be incurred by the qualifying company. This producer company must be resident in the State or an EEA State and carries on a business in the State through a branch or agency. As a result, many international production companies will opt to work with a local Irish production company to avail more seamlessly of the Film Tax Credit.To qualify for the tax relief, the minimum amount that must be spent on the production is €250,000 (this is known as the qualifying expenditure in the legislation) and the minimum eligible expenditure is €125,000.
International production companies should carefully read up on the relevant materials published by Revenue in order to calculate these accurately. The third and final piece of the criteria to be met is achieved by having a cultural certificate issued by the Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
THE CULTURE TEST
To receive a cultural certificate, the film must satisfy either or both the Culture test or the Industry development test. The Culture test states that the film must be of importance to the promotion, development and enhancement of the national culture including, where applicable, the Irish language. To pass the Industry development test, the production company must show that the film production will act as an effective stimulus to film making in the State through, among other things, the provisions of quality employment and training and skills development opportunities. More guidance on the cultural certificate application can be found here.
The amount of relief due depends on the production costs of the qualifying film. The credit is 32% of whichever is the lowest of: eligible expenditure, 80% of total qualifying film production costs or €70 million. A claim for the credit can be made in full after the film is completed. Alternatively, a claim for up to 90% of the credit based on budgeted expenditure can be made, with the balance claimed on completion. The submission of all of these documents is directly via the Irish Revenue online portal (ROS), however seeking appropriate tax advice from local authorities or qualified professionals familiar with Section 481 is recommended. Beyond the basic tax relief on the core production expenditure in the State, Ireland also offers a few other relief options that may give additional incentive to a production company considering shooting in Ireland.
THE IRISH NETWORK
As a known film production hub, Ireland has entered into co-production treaties with several countries, providing additional benefits for projects that are official co-productions between Ireland and a treaty partner. These treaties offer filmmakers access to international funding, creative resources, and distribution networks, enhancing the overall competitiveness of Irish productions on the global stage. These include EU states and select EEA states, as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Learn more about international co-productions here at Screen Ireland.
Ireland also offers incentives for post-production work, including a Section 481 credit for post-production on eligible projects. Productions can avail of a Section 481 credit for post-production activities carried out in Ireland, such as editing, sound design, and visual effects. This holistic approach to incentivizing the entire production process further solidifies Ireland’s position as a top destination for filmmakers seeking high-quality services and support.
REGIONAL UPLIFT SCHEME
International production companies should take note that the Regional Uplift scheme, where productions that film in specific regions designated by the state for an increased tax credit percentage, is in the process of being phased out and will not apply from production undertaken in 2024 and onwards. While the benefits of filming in Ireland are clear, navigating the application process for tax incentives can be a complex task.
To ensure a smooth and successful application, filmmakers are advised to consult with experienced tax professionals or local production companies who are well-versed in Ireland’s film incentives program. By seeking guidance early in the planning stages, filmmakers can maximise their chances of securing the full range of incentives available to them.
Ireland offers various incentives for filmmakers to bring their creative visions to life in a dynamic and supportive environment. Whether you are a seasoned producer or a first-time filmmaker, Ireland’s rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, local network of production offerings and financial incentives make it an ideal destination for your next production.
SoScout’s shoot and accommodation booking services are helping to further develop the resources available to production companies coming to Ireland, making the experience more professional and tailored to your production’s needs.
