PLANS are under way to transform the former Goodyear factory in St Thomas into a film production facility later this year.

“The project has been moving forward and the investors/project developers have recently concluded negotiations on the terms of a lease agreement with the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ),” Anthony Hylton, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, told the recently concluded sectoral debate.

“It is anticipated that the design phase of the project will be completed in the second quarter of the financial, allowing for the handover,” Hylton continued.

David Mullings, chairman of the RealVibez Group, confirmed that his company has an interest in the project. He said he chose Jamaica because of its historical links with film-making and its central location in the Caribbean.

“It was an easy choice to have the facility here,” he said.

Born in Kingston, Mullings started his first company at 20, while studying for his MBA at he University of Miami. That project was RealVibes.net later renamed Realvibez.tv, a leading online destination for reggae, dancehall and soca videos.

Mullings also heads Random Media, an integrated media and entertainment firm, which is focused on Caribbean entertainment and culture.

He said he is hoping to sign a long-term lease with the FCJ for the 23 acres of land on which the old Goodyear factory sits to construct the facility. The plant has been closed since 1997.

He said that it will have post-production and audio facilities, workspaces, live music venues, rehearsal spaces for theatre and space for movie sets.