NI film and television industry thriving – Dodds

Northern Ireland’s film and television industry is thriving and delivering positive economic benefits, Economy Minister Diane Dodds has said.

Photo caption: Economy Minister Diane Dodds; Stephen Jones, Producer, ‘The School for Good and Evil’' Rotha Johnston, Chair, Northern Ireland Screen; and Richard Williams, CEO, Northern Ireland Screen.

The Minister visited Belfast Harbour Studios, where the Netflix film ‘The School for Good and Evil’ is being filmed.

Directed by Paul Feig ('Bridesmaids', 'Ghostbusters') and starring Charlize Theron, Laurence Fishburne and Kerry Washington, ‘The School for Good and Evil’ is based on a best-selling series of young adult fantasy novels by Soman Chainani and follows a group of girls and boys who are taken to an institution and trained to become fairy tale-like heroes and villains.

Minister Dodds said:

“I was very pleased to have the opportunity to visit the set for ‘The School for Good and Evil’ to see at first-hand the creativity and vibrancy of the local screen industries.

“Northern Ireland has established itself as a highly desirable filming location, not only for our diverse, beautiful and accessible locations, but also because of the outstanding skills base we have built here.

“This production by Netflix will be in Northern Ireland for at least 20 weeks, and Northern Ireland Screen estimates that it will generate investment of approximately £30million. Around 500 NI-resident crew are working on the film.

“The local industry has risen and adapted to the significant challenges posed by Covid and continues to thrive, with support from Northern Ireland Screen. I commend the efforts of all involved and wish ‘The School for Good and Evil’ every success when it hits screens around the world.”

Richard Williams, CEO of Northern Ireland Screen, said:

“Netflix is the world’s largest subscription streaming service with millions of subscribers worldwide and an outstanding track record for offering very high quality, original programming. For a global player like this to choose Belfast as its base is a real vote of confidence in Northern Ireland’s screen industry and further cements our reputation as a leading centre for film and television production.” 

Notes to editors: 

1. Photo caption: Economy Minister Diane Dodds; Stephen Jones, Producer, ‘The School for Good and Evil’; Rotha Johnston, Chair, Northern Ireland Screen; and Richard Williams, CEO, Northern Ireland Screen.
2. The Department may take photographs and videos at announcements and events to publicise its work. Photographs, interviews, videos or other recordings may be issued to media organisations for publicity purposes or used in promotional material, including in publications, newspapers, magazines, other print media, on television, radio and electronic media (including social media and the internet). Photographs and videos will also be stored on the Department’s internal records management system. The Department will keep the photographs and recordings for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which they have been obtained. The Department’s Privacy Policy is available on our website.
3. Follow us on Twitter @Economy_NI  
4. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office at pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk .
5. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

Share this page