The Quebec government is lending a Montreal visual effects studio $1 million to expand its operations.

Framestore studio is a Quebec subsidiary of Guidedraw Ltd., which produced Oscar-winning effects for the Hollywood film Gravity.

Premier Philippe Couillard said he met with the company’s co-founder, William Sargent, in London last year and they spoke about helping the company grow.

The investment will help create 150 high-paying, specialized jobs, according to the government.

The Montreal studio opened in January 2013. The company also has offices in New York and Los Angeles.

The loan will help Framestore improve and upgrade its workspace, including buying new IT materials.

Economy Minister Jacques Daoust was on hand for the announcement, and said the studio expansion will help attract more big-budget films that require quality animation work to Montreal.

The government's contribution brings the total amount to $4 million being invested to expand the company's Montreal facilities.