The Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission (NIFTC) has announced that Hollywood production City Of Ember will shoot in the region this summer.

Playtone Productions and Walden Media are producing the children's fantasy sci-fi adventure adapted from American writer Jeanne DuPrau's book. Monster House director Gil Kenan will direct from a screenply by Caroline Thompson (Corpse Bride).

City Of Ember will shoot entirely in Northern Ireland, starting in early summer for a 16-week shoot until October. Pre-production has already begun on the sets, which will see the former Paint Hall in the Titanic Quarter transformed into the underground city of Ember.

The film is set in a future where people move underground to avoid the toxic atmosphere, where two teenagers try to save the city of Ember.

Colin Anderson, NIFTC chairman, said: 'We are delighted to be able to confirm that the film everyone has been speculating about for the past few months is definitely coming. This means a great deal to Northern Ireland - in terms of economic benefit, helping grow the industry here and showing the world that Northern Ireland can pull in a major Hollywood blockbuster. In particular I would like to pay tribute to the management of Titanic Quarter who were instrumental in helping secure this production.'

Producer John Schofield added: 'We are very much looking forward to the Northern Ireland shoot. It's a great place with great people and we've already been made to feel very much at home here. We are excited about building the city of Ember in such an historic landmark in Belfast.'

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