Written by on Sep 11, 2015. Posted in On Location

Planned Belfast Harbour Studio could help boost Northern Ireland filming

New filming facility Belfast Harbour Studio is planned for construction to help increase production in Northern Ireland’s capital. The city is best known as the home of the fantasy series Game of Thrones but is also popular for shows like the BBC’s serial killer drama The Fall.

Tenders have been issued to find a contractor for the GBP 10 million development that would focus on a 40,000 sq ft stage with the potential for a 20,000 sq ft extension, the Belfast Telegraph reports.

“Given the success of Northern Ireland as a film and television production destination there is significant demand to enhance the amount of studio space available in Belfast,” said a spokesperson for Belfast Harbour in comments to the outlet.

“Belfast Harbour is looking at a number of options to support this successful industry and the wider economy as a whole.”

Game of Thrones films across Northern Ireland but is based in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. The series has spent some GBP 110 million in Northern Ireland over the past five years and the drama has become an integral part of how the region markets itself internationally. Last summer the Titanic Quarter secured planning permission to expand with two new stages.

Ballykelly in County Londonderry is also being considered as a long-term filming facility. The former army base is already being leased for small-scale TV and film shoots, and offers empty hangars and 720 acres of land.

“This site is absolutely tailor made to develop a whole new centre of excellence for the media and creative industries,” producer Jo Gilbert told the BBC: “There’s lots of interests from the States.”

(Image: HBO)