City of Ember premieres in Belfast

13 October 2008 -

Hollywood movie City of Ember has made its European premiere in Belfast.

The film, which saw a former paint hall, previously used for painting ships, in the city's Titanic Quarter turned in a post-apocalyptic city, featured Oscar-nominee Saoirse Ronan at the event, according to Belfast Newsletter.

In addition, her co-stars Amy and Catherine Quinn, the twins who play her sisters in the blockbuster, and TV presenter Kate Smith attended the premiere, which could be one of the glitziest events in Northern Ireland last week.

Gregory Campbell, Northern Ireland arts minister, told the newspaper: "This is a celebration of what can be achieved and of how Northern Ireland can shine on the world stage."

In addition to being filmed in the province, City of Ember, which stars Tim Robbins and Bill Murray, received funding from Northern Ireland Screen.

Last week, the BBC revealed Coleraine-born actor James Nesbitt will star in three-part drama serial Occupation.

The drama, which follows three soldiers from the invasion of Basra in March 2003 to the present day, will be filmed in Northern Ireland and Morocco.