Dublin, Ireland-based animation company Jam Media, the studio behind preschool series as Baby Jake and Tilly and Friends, will open a new production and special effects facility in Belfast to create 40 new jobs.

Jam, which picked up a BAFTA award for its CBBC series Roy this past November, currently specializes in kids animations and mobile games.

The Belfast operation will initially service the compositing on the company’s portfolio of productions. Positions to be created will include senior developers, graduate programmers, management positions and administrative staff.

The investment is supported by Invest Northern Ireland and is expected to deliver more than US$2.1 million in salaries into the local economy annually. Additional assistance from Northern Ireland Screen has secured production of Roy for Northern Ireland.