Written by new-contact on Sep 11, 2013. Posted in On Location

Northern Ireland Screen chief predicts doubling of filming spend over four years

The head of Northern Ireland Screen has predicted that regional spending from all filming productions will double over the next four years. Northern Ireland has benefitted from direct production spending of GBP121 million since 2009.

“Film and TV in the last four years - those projects parts of which have been specifically supported by Northern Ireland Screen - have generated a direct spend of GBP121 million on goods and services,” CEO Richard Williams told a tourism workshop, according to the Belfast Telegraph: “That direct spend is still our primary purpose - to deliver direct economic value to Northern Ireland.

“There’s absolutely no reason why over the next four years we can't double that. It will be something of a disgrace if we don't achieve that.”

Northern Ireland has hosted HBO’s hit fantasy drama Game of Thrones for three seasons and a fourth is about to start filming. The lavish production has helped build the region’s crew pool, while the UK’s new television tax credit is also a benefit.

Northern Ireland has benefitted from direct production spending of GBP121 million since 2009.

High-profile feature Dracula: Year Zero is a recent visitor to Northern Ireland, along with high-end television shoots such as the BBC’s crime drama Line of Duty and The Wipers Times.