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A new film adaption of Dungeons And Dragons is set to be filmed in Belfast.<\/p>\nA new film adaption of Dungeons And Dragons is set to be filmed in Belfast.<\/p>\n
The fantasy classic is set to start shooting at Titanic Studios early in the new year.<\/p>\n
It will come as a \u201cgreat start\u201d to 2021 following what the chief executive of NI Screen described as an \u201cextremely challenging\u201d year with the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
Richard Williams described 2020 as a year of \u201cstaggering resilience\u201d within the screen industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the year draws to a close, many projects including New Regency\u2019s The Northman and Jed Mecurio\u2019s Line Of Duty have finally wrapped,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat all of these projects will reach audiences next year is down to hard work, discipline and determination on the part of the teams behind them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Williams described the working environment for screen production as \u201cunrecognizable\u201d from the pre-Covid era.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut everyone\u2019s willingness to embrace the difficulties, limitations and challenges of working with Covid has meant that the sector has come through 2020 strongly and is well placed to grow again in 2021 and beyond,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe already know next year will get off to a great start with Paramount Pictures having leased Titanic Studios as they prepare to shoot a new feature film, Dungeons And Dragons, here.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile delivery of content was heavily delayed in 2020, the lockdown has reconfirmed the global appetite for good content and with new content in short supply it was enjoyable to see The Fall reach the top of the ratings on Netflix again and Line Of Duty attract a whole new audience to its five-season boxset on the iPlayer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was also great to see Artemis Fowl launch to millions of Disney Plus subscribers around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
James Nesbitt starred in drama Bloodlands for the BBC, which was filmed in Belfast (BBC\/PA)
\nMr Williams said 2020 got off to a good start with Bloodlands, a major new crime drama for the BBC starring James Nesbitt, filming in and around Belfast and Strangford.<\/p>\n
Sci-fi movie Zone 414 starring Guy Pearce also filmed in Belfast, as well as Stranger With A Camera, the debut feature written and directed by Belfast-born filmmaker and artist Oorlagh George.<\/p>\n
However, the first lockdown in March saw Robert Eggers\u2019 feature film The Northman, the sixth series of Line Of Duty, Channel 4\u2019s Frank Of Ireland, BBC quiz show Mastermind and many other projects having to suspend production.<\/p>\n
But industry workers were not idle, and instead turned their attention to helping others, using their skills to make personal protective equipment, sewing scrubs and driving supplies for the health service.<\/p>\n
Reviewing the year, NI Screen revealed that lockdown saw more funds made available to allow independent production companies to develop ideas.<\/p>\n
This resulted in Stellify Media\u2019s Celebrity Snoop Dogs getting commissioned by Channel 4, as well as Holywood-based Paper Owl producing a \u201cHouse Time Special\u201d episode of animation Pablo, and Jam Media\u2019s new preschool series Jessy And Nessy.<\/p>\n
While TV became the main source of entertainment during lockdown, Derry Girls\u2019 creator Lisa McGee\u2019s The Deceived aired on Channel 5 and drew in two million viewers on its first night, making it the channel\u2019s highest rating launch for a drama commission.<\/p>\n
Films made in Northern Ireland were recognized around the world, including Wildfire, the debut feature from Newry-native Cathy Brady starring the late Nika McGuigan, which was screened at Toronto International Film Festival and London Film Festival.<\/p>\n
Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros d\u2019Sa\u2019s Ordinary Love won Best Film 2020 at the Ifta Awards, which was presented by Martin Scorsese.<\/p>\n
Lockdown also saw an 80 per cent increase in engagement with NI Screen\u2019s Digital Film Archive which contains hours of footage from 1897 to the present day.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the games sector held its own with the announcement that Hypixel Studios, the videogame developer behind upcoming title Hytale, will establish its headquarters in Londonderry as part of its acquisition by US-based developer and publisher Riot Games.<\/p>\n