Firm’s Dan Snow, James May and Alice Roberts projects secured funding
Investment Minister Arlene Foster advised Londonderry-based 360 Productions has received £25k towards its Archaeology Portal; £100k towards Digging for Britain - featuring Dr Alice Roberts; £70k towards Dig World War 2 - featuring Dan Snow; £200k towards Things You Need To Know About Everything - featuring James May; and £80k towards Titanic and Me.
Londonderry independent games developer Darkwater Studios has also received £105,384 towards its Dogfighter creation.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe Londonderry companies are the only firms from Northern Ireland to have received money from NI Screen with the other beneficiaries all based in London.
Ms Foster stated: “NI Screen’s current strategy ‘Driving Global Growth’ which builds on the achievements of the previous strategy is focused on continuing the growth of the positive productivity impact of the screen industry in Northern Ireland so as to optimise the impact on the local economy and ensure value for money, through a balanced portfolio of investment and the development of the local skills base.
“Invest NI does not seek to prioritise geographical areas within Northern Ireland where NI Screen funding is utilised; this is largely dependent on the location of the production company and funded project.
“My Department through Invest NI has allocated funding of £6.3m for the current year 2011 – 2012 for development of the screen industries.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdListing the companies to benefit she revealed 360 Productions and Darkwater as the only local beneficiaries.
“It should be noted that in relation to those respective companies based in London we will only offer support for production activity that occurs in Northern Ireland and provides economic benefit in Northern Ireland.
“The level of production taking place on Northern Ireland will be negotiated by NI Screen; however, it will be negotiated on the basis that the return to the NI economy will not be less than 3.5:1 as an agreed target minimum for any individual project,” she stated.