PRESS RELEASE : Supporting the future of Northern Ireland’s screen industry with £2.9 million boost [January 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 17 January 2023.
Over £2.9 million of Levelling Up Funding has been allocated to build on Northern Ireland’s global reputation as a prime location for the film and TV industry.
This funding will be used to purchase ‘Flexible Virtual Production Studios’ and support the landmark Studio Ulster project by Belfast Harbour, Ulster University and NI Screen as part of the Belfast Region City Deal.
The investment from the Levelling Up Fund will:
- unlock the potential to create new businesses in this area of technology within Northern Ireland
- promote the use of virtual production methods within Northern Ireland businesses
- support the growth of the local film industry
Opportunities for young people
The project will also give young people the opportunity to:
- be mentored by industry professionals
- gain valuable work experience
- work on a film production
Professor Frank Lyons, Associate Dean of Research at Ulster University, said:
Studio Ulster is a step change for the screen industries in Northern Ireland. It brings capabilities and access to cutting edge, real-time, virtual production technologies previously unavailable to the Belfast Region and in short supply globally. This new technology and expertise will transform the types of productions that can be made in Northern Ireland and the types of jobs that will be created here; a genuine levelling up of capability in the region.
