Featured MEdia
Supply Chains

Launch of a Landmark Facility

Belfast, UK – On 19 June, the future of screen production took a leap forward with the official launch of Studio Ulster, a £72 million virtual production facility located at Belfast Harbour. Spanning 75,000 ft², the state-of-the-art campus integrates real-time engines, in-camera visual effects, volumetric capture, and motion tracking to support a full pipeline from concept to screen.

A Celebration of Innovation

The launch event, themed “LEGENDS UNVEILED,” welcomed industry leaders, dignitaries, and creatives on a red carpet hosted by Studio Ulster Chairman Professor Anthony Lilley, OBE. Attendees included Professor Declan Keeney, Michelle O’Neill, Emma Little-Pengelly, and Paul Bartholomew, all celebrating the groundbreaking nature of the project and its contribution to the UK and Ireland’s creative industries.

Backed by Strategic Investment

Studio Ulster was developed by Ulster University in partnership with Belfast Harbour and supported by Northern Ireland Screen. The facility was part-funded through the Belfast Region City Deal and houses the CoSTAR Screen Lab—one of five national research labs under the UK-wide CoSTAR Network. This initiative, supported by £75.6 million from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and £63 million from industry, establishes Studio Ulster as a major R&D hub for creative technologies.

Redefining Creative Potential

Professor Declan Keeney, CEO of Studio Ulster and BFI Board Member, highlighted Belfast’s legacy of innovation: “From the docks that built the Titanic to the LED stages that now build entire universes, Belfast has always punched above its weight. Studio Ulster represents that same spirit of ambition and excellence, now directed toward the future of storytelling.”

Strategic Advantage for Northern Ireland

Richard Williams, CEO of Northern Ireland Screen, emphasized the transformative potential of the facility: “Studio Ulster is a genuine game-changer, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on screen. It offers a complete ecosystem for virtual production, unmatched on the island of Ireland.”

With purpose-built LED volume stages, post-production suites, and motion capture studios under one roof, Studio Ulster sets a new global benchmark for efficiency, sustainability, and creative scope.

A Vision for the Future

Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University, remarked, “This incredible facility is a launchpad for the next generation of creators. We are proud to place Northern Ireland at the forefront of global content creation and economic development through innovation.”

Netflix’s Laura Livingstone and Studio Ulster’s Kyle Olson both praised the facility’s international potential and exceptional team, underscoring Belfast’s emerging role as a global centre for high-end virtual production.

About Studio Ulster

Studio Ulster is a cutting-edge virtual production campus in Belfast, developed by Ulster University with Belfast Harbour and Northern Ireland Screen. It supports high-end film, TV, animation, and gaming through world-class facilities, advanced visual effects technology, and research leadership in screen innovation.