£580k to city film firms

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster confirmed £580,384 of Invest NI funding has been allocated by NI Screen to Londonderry film and TV firms over the five years.

She explained that NI Screen was established to accelerate the development of a dynamic and sustainable film and television industry in Northern Ireland by integrating industrial, educational and cultural policies and actions.

She said it was the lead body in developing the film and television industry in Northern Ireland.

“NI Screen is primarily funded by Invest Northern Ireland, the Department of Culture Arts & Leisure and the British Film Institute.

“It is delegated by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to administer lottery funding for film in Northern Ireland. It also administers the Irish Language Broadcast Fund and the Ulster Scots Broadcast Fund.

“My Department through Invest NI is the largest single funder of NI Screen and over the past five years has committed £25.7m to the development of the screen industries in Northern Ireland; this includes funding of £6.3m for the current year 2011 – 2012.”