Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed an investment by Dublin-based animation company Jam Media, which will create 40 high quality jobs in Belfast.
Jam Media Limited, is an animation company which specialises in short animations, children’s entertainment and mobile games. It was awarded a British Film and Television Award (BAFTA) for Best Drama in November 2012.
The investment, which is supported by Invest Northern Ireland, will see Jam Media establish a 40 person world class production and special effects facility in Belfast. Positions to be created will include high quality senior animators, graduate programmers, management positions and administrative staff. The investment will deliver over £1.4million in salaries into the local economy annually.
Speaking during a visit to the company’s offices in Belfast, Arlene Foster said: “This is a tremendous boost for the local animation sector and the wider creative industries arena. Jam Media is a highly acclaimed, BAFTA award winning company which has recognised the quality of talent available in Northern Ireland’s animation sector.”
One of Jam Media’s latest animation projects, ROY, which will be produced in Northern Ireland, has received funding from the Northern Ireland Screen Fund supported by Invest NI and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
The Minister added: “Jam Media is working at the cutting edge of animation, and is offering high quality career opportunities in one of our most dynamic and fast growing sectors. The work that will be carried out at the Belfast centre will add value to the extensive activities being carried out by indigenous animation firms, particularly in visual effects and post production.”
John Rice, CEO of Jam Media said: “The Belfast operation will initially service our portfolio of productions and will also compete for third party productions and stand alone commission work from outside Northern Ireland. We have been really impressed with the people and enthusiasm demonstrated in the local animation sector. We have commenced recruitment and are excited about our investment plans here as we see Belfast as an integral part of our future growth.”
