The Northern Ireland Film and Television Industry
At the height of the Northern Irish Troubles, the film industry here was non-existent. The Northern Ireland Troubles started around 1962 and lasted until around 1973, although that wasn’t the end of the fighting. It wasn’t until after the 1980's that film production began to pick up. In 1982 Channel 4 had been launched which helped the NI film industry because of how it was financing film production , mainly via a drama department and the Department of Independent Film and Video which supported productions big and small in NI. In the 1990’s there were developments in the NI film industry as there was a growth in the BBC Northern Ireland and how much they were getting involved in productions. There was UK lottery funding for film announced in 1995 which meant that NI was issued around one and a half million pounds for film and television production, which helped to fund Titanic Town (1998) and Bogwoman (1997) among others. Since then there have been a few great TV shows and films taken here.
Over the years more production companies have established themselves with the likes of New Moon Pictures, Belfast Underdog Media Limited, and one I actually did work experience at, called Waddell Media Productions. These companies along with others, make an independently creative sector. Most recently the industry has created several success stories and it didn’t look like they were slowing down anytime soon. Most notably, HBO’s Game of Thrones (2011-2019) has not only brought many jobs to young Irish and Northern Irish actors, but also recognition to the beautiful NI’s coastline and landscapes. The television series was filmed at several locations across Northern Ireland, including the Giants Causeway and The Dark Hedges. It has created such a buzz that there is now a coach tour available for tourists to book, where visitors will see both of these locations as well as the Cushendun Caves, Murlough Bay and Ballintoy Harbour. I’ve been on this tour myself and can say it’s definitely worth visiting whether you enjoy the series or not – the breathtaking views are worth the short cold walks from the bus.
Derry Girls (2018) is another that has been so well received that the cast have been immortalised on a wall in Londonderry. It is hands down one of the funniest TV shows I’ve ever watched and apparently a lot of others agree with it as it’s received 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 8.4/10 on IMDB. Along with this the show picked up a whopping 3.2 million viewers just for the first episode and it has earned itself a BAFTA nomination, making it the largest comedy launched on Channel 4 in the last 15 years! Overall it’s apparent how much of an impact the TV and films either filmed or produced here have had on the country and its economy. Some other television shows that were filmed or produced in Northern Ireland are; The Fall (2016), Line of Duty (2012), Daybreakers (2009) and The Frankenstein Chronicles (2015-2017). With films on top of this being; Your Highness (2011), Good Vibrations (2012) and one I personally recommend ’71 (2014).
The film ’71 (2014) is an interesting watch as it covers what the Troubles were like in Belfast as a British soldier gets stuck behind enemy lines, abandoned by his unit after arriving to dismantle a riot on the streets. Starring the award winning actor Jack O’Connell who’s most recognisable from his roles in This is England (2006), Unbroken (2014) and Money Monster (2016), with his movie Love is a Gun being delayed due to our current predicament. Unfortunately nowadays with a worldwide pandemic, there’s no telling what will happen to the film industry here similar to most businesses. Hopefully the new year will bring less restrictions and in turn, more business to the Northern Irish film and television industry in years to come.
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