Studio Ulster, Northern Ireland’s new virtual production facility, officially opened its doors today, marking a major leap forward for the UK and European film and TV industries. Spanning 75,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art studio is designed to support everything from big-budget Hollywood productions to high-end television, game development, and animation.
Located in Belfast, Studio Ulster integrates real-time engines, in-camera visual effects, volumetric capture, and motion tracking into a sustainable production pipeline. The project is backed by a £72M ($96.7M) investment, partially funded through the Belfast Region City Deal, and developed by Ulster University in collaboration with Belfast Harbour.
The facility shares its location with Belfast Harbour Studios, which recently hosted major titles like How To Train Your Dragon (live-action) and Netflix’s The School for Good & Evil.
According to Studio Ulster CEO Declan Keeney, the complex boasts three of the most advanced in-camera visual effects stages in the world, alongside a large motion capture studio, 3D and 4D volumetric stages, and full-scale support infrastructure including costume departments, makeup, screening rooms, and more.
“Our modular design sets us apart,” said Keeney. “Previous technologies were rigid and limited creative flexibility. Here, we can transform stages from a North Atlantic ship scene to a Cairo balcony setup in just half a day, thanks to our dynamic volume system.”
Keeney confirmed that major streamers and independent filmmakers from the UK and U.S. have already booked production slots, although specific projects remain under wraps. “Our platform gives independent features access to world-class crew and virtual production capabilities, helping them cut both costs and carbon emissions,” he added.
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Studio Ulster also houses the CoSTAR Screen Lab, one of five national research labs under the UK-wide CoSTAR initiative. The lab benefits from £75.6M ($101.4M) in public funding through the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and an additional £63M ($84.5M) in industry investment.
“Virtual production has truly come of age at Studio Ulster,” stated Richard Williams, CEO of Northern Ireland Screen. “This facility is a game-changer, redefining the studio experience not only in Northern Ireland but across the UK and Europe. It enables directors to bring any imagined world to life right here in Belfast Harbour.”
Netflix VFX Executive Laura Livingstone echoed the sentiment: “Innovation is reshaping storytelling. Facilities like Studio Ulster are not just technical powerhouses, but bridges between visionary creators, the local community, and global opportunity. I’m proud to have played a part in launching this landmark studio.”
With its cutting-edge infrastructure and strategic industry partnerships, Studio Ulster is poised to become a central hub for the next generation of storytelling.
