Belfast debut for City of Ember

Hollywood star Tom Hanks' latest film will have its European premiere on 9 October in Belfast... the place where it was filmed last summer.

City of Ember is based on Jeanne duPrau's children's science fiction adventure.

A former paint hall in Belfast's Titanic Quarter was transformed into a post-apocalyptic city for the film.

The movie stars Hollywood actors Tim Robbins and Bill Murray and the young Irish actress, Saoirse Ronan.

The city is the "only light in the dark world" which is slowly dying as supplies run low and the electrical system starts to fail.

The main characters are Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, two 12-year-olds who watch as the light of Ember flickers and race to discover a way out.

Watch the City of Ember trailer

Among those watching eagerly from the sidelines will be a band of extras recruited to play the citizens of Ember who have never seen sunlight.

The film was made by PlayTone which is owned by Tom Hanks and Walden Media.

It received funding from Northern Ireland Screen and its premiere is part of the Cinemagic Festival of young people's film.

Northern Ireland Screen said it fought "long and hard" to get the production to Belfast and is delighted the premiere will be held in the city.

At the end of the last financial year, City of Ember delivered an estimated £9.2m to the Northern Ireland economy. This was against an investment of £800,000 from Northern Ireland Screen.

Richard Williams, chief executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said: "This major Hollywood film is a fine example of our ability, in the face of increasing global competition, to attract film and television projects to Northern Ireland and a reflection of our passionate commitment to develop a sustainable, dynamic screen industry and culture."

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