Studio Ulster, a new virtual production studio complex, is set to open for business this Autumn as part of a major £72 million expansion of Belfast Harbour Studios.

Studio Ulster is developed by Ulster University, in partnership with Belfast Harbour and supported by City Deals funding for which NI Screen is the Department for the Economy (DfE) lead for the project.

It will include large-scale studio virtual production with traditional film, animation, games and broadcast industries alongside leading-edge research and development and visual effects capabilities.

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Economy Minister, Conor Murphy said: "We should be rightly proud that the north is leading the way in creative industries. We are known world-wide through various productions for our expertise and skills in this thriving industry. We have the facilities, people and locations that can make a success of any screen production. Studio Ulster will raise our potential to a new level and will help to attract more big budget films and television productions.

"Studio Ulster is a tremendous facility and will be a real asset to our screen industry, and wider economy, when it opens in the Autumn."

The Minister also had the opportunity to view the major expansion of the wider Belfast Harbour Studio complex. He commended Belfast Harbour for its commitment to the local screen industry and said:

"The investment by Belfast Harbour in additional studio capacity and supporting facilities at Belfast Harbour Studios is a clear indication of the growth potential of our screen industry."