Belfast studio hub, currently hosting HBO’s Game of Thrones, launches £8.3m extension.

Belfast’s Titanic Studios has launched a 42,000 sq ft extension, taking its total capacity to more than 110,000 sq ft.

The stages, which incorporate high performance acoustic fabric, high-level walkways and rigging gantries, have been named after Scrooge director Brian Desmond Hurst and A Night to Remember director William MacQuitty.

The growing hub, known as Titanic Quarter, has to date hosted HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones as well as features Your Highness and City of Ember.

Speaking at yesterday’s launch ceremony, David Gavaghan [pictured], CEO of Titanic Quarter, said: “International demand for film set location in Northern Ireland is currently outstripping our resources and it is vital that further investment in ‘Hollywood ready’ studio space and supporting infrastructure is forthcoming. Northern Ireland has never had a better opportunity to increase its market share within the screen industry.”

Richard Williams, CEO, Northern Ireland Screen, added: “Tribute must be paid to Titanic Quarter and the Northern Ireland Executive through Invest NI, for recognizing the need for further studio infrastructure to help boost our standing in the global marketplace.  The construction of the two new purpose-built stages is a major addition to our portfolio and will further boost Northern Ireland’s credentials as a first-class production location.”