02/05/2003

Over the next three years, the Northern Ireland government will invest a total of £9.9m (Euros14.204m) in the national film and TV industry. The money will be forthcoming from the Invest Northern Ireland fund.
The announcement was made on Friday 25 April by the NI Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment,Ian Pearson during an industry gathering organised by the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission ( NIFTC). Amongst those attending the meeting was NIFTC Honorary President and actor/director, Kenneth Branagh, NIFTC Chairman Colin Anderson as well as numerous local industry operators and politicians.
“I am very pleased to be able to announce today a set of measures that should see government support for the film and TV industry in Northern Ireland more than doubling over the next three years,” said Mr Pearson. “My Department, through Invest Northern Ireland, will provide up to £4.4m (Euros6.313m) over three years to strengthen and stimulate the development sector. Furthermore, subject to EU approval, Invest NI will also set aside £5.5m (Euros7.891m) over this period for the NIFTC to establish a new film production fund, the focus of which will be to increase the volume and value of film production in Northern Ireland. This money is in addition to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure’s support of up to £1.9m (Euros2.726m) over the period.”
Belfast-born Kenneth Branagh added: “Look what this industry has done for a small country like New Zealand with The Lord Of The Rings films. There is no reason why Northern Ireland should not position itself similarly on the world stage. This initial funding will help the industry here move its next stage”.
As well as its main plan of launching a new NI Film Production Fund, NIFTC key objectives include the creation of a new Company Development Fund to help build competitive production businesses in the region, and a Product Development Fund for television, animation and digital media.

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