More than 40 TV, film and documentary projects will be made in Ireland this year.

Fís Éireann, the national agency for the industry, has said these will include films with Irish actors Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan.

In 'Small Things Like These', Bill Furlong (Murphy) makes a discovery in his Wexford hometown which forces him to confront both his past and the complicit silences of a town controlled by the Church.

Cillian Murphy in 'Small Things Like These'. Image: Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland

The film, which Cillian Murphy is also producing, will open at the Berlin International Film Festival next month.

It comes after the Corkman received an Academy Award nomination for the title role in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.

In 'Bring Them Down', starring Barry Keoghan, a shepherd is drawn into a devastating cycle of violence after his sheep are massacred by unknown men.

Barry Keoghan in 'Bring Them Down'. Image: Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland

In total there will be 20 feature films, eight TV dramas, seven animated series, 10 documentaries, 31 short films and three RTÉ Storyland projects.

Other film highlights include the Irish language film 'Kneecap', which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last Thursday, and Darren Thornton's Irish drama Four 'Mothers' starring Fionnuala Flanagan.

Screen Ireland spokesperson Louise Ryan told Newstalk Breakfast there are several exciting projects coming down the line.

"Last year was an outstanding year for the Irish film industry," she said.

"That international success and recognition is really testament to the levels of creative artistry and talent that we have working in the industry right now."

Ms Ryan said TV productions will also play a large part.

"We're quite excited about TV drama this year; projects to look forward would be 'The Boy That
Never Was', directed by Hannah Quinn and starring Colin O'Donoghue," she said.

"We also have 'Louise Lives Large', which is a project aimed at younger audiences," she added.

Screen Ireland figures show the industry was worth €322 million to the Irish economy last year.

Main image: Cillian Murphy in 'Small Things Like These'. Image: Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland