James Flynn (1965 - 2023)

The Irish Film & Television Academy is deeply saddened by the passing of our respected industry leader and long-time IFTA Academy Member, James Flynn.

James was one of Ireland’s most prolific and successful Producers, delivering multiple IFTA-winning films and drama series over the years, including Vikings, Penny Dreadful, Kin and Love/Hate among others. 

James served in various producing capacities on projects including last year’s Oscar-nominated The Banshees of Inisherin; as well as The Last Duel, Disenchanted, Greta, P.S. I Love You, Inside I’m Dancing, Ondine, Calvary, Leap Year, Ella Enchanted, Cherrybomb, Tristan + Isolde, Becoming Jane, The Count of Monte Cristo, King Arthur, Into the Badlands, Penny Dreadful, Reign, The Borgias, Camelot and The Tudors.

James began his journey in the Irish film industry as head of development at John Boorman’s Merlin Films International. From 1993-1997, he served as the business manager and later as deputy CEO of the Irish Film Board, delivering projects such as Angela’s Ashes.

In 1997, James and his wife Juanita Wilson launched Metropolitan Film Productions Limited before establishing Octagon Films in 2002, developing and producing films for the international market. 

James and Juanita’s short film The Door was nominated for an Oscar in 2010.  James also produced Juanita’s debut feature film As If I Am Not There, with Nathalie Lichtenthaele, about the experience of women taken prisoner during the Bosnian war. The film won Best Film at the IFTA Awards in 2011 and went on to represent Ireland at the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category.

James was an active and very involved member of the Irish Academy over the past 20 years and was always a welcome presence at our member’s discussions & events and annual awards.

IFTA CEO Áine Moriarty said “For so many of us within the Academy, James was a go-to person for advice, and he shared his knowledge and expertise so freely.  He was practical and pragmatic and so encouraging of the next generation coming through. He will be sorely missed within this community and the industry as a whole. Our thoughts are with his family, Juanita, Alex and Anna.”