Ulster University today welcomed Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP to Studio Ulster, Northern Ireland’s brand-new virtual production facility and Belfast Region City Deal project, to announce the UK Government’s commitment to the ongoing development of the region’s creative economy.
During the visit, the Chancellor confirmed £310 million of UK Government investment over the next four years through the City and Growth Deals, with a strong emphasis on supporting jobs in the creative industries in Northern Ireland.
The Chancellor was joined by Ulster University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Bartholomew, and Studio Ulster CEO, Professor Declan Keeney, for an immersive tour of the £72 million facility.
Delivered by Ulster University in partnership with Belfast Harbour and supported by Northern Ireland Screen, Studio Ulster represents one of the most advanced hubs globally for real-time filmmaking, animation, in-camera VFX and immersive media.
Studio Ulster received £25.2 million of UK Government investment through the Belfast City Region Deal, demonstrating the government’s commitment to creating high-value, high-paying jobs to help grow the economy.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:
“Northern Ireland is brimming with talent and ambition, from cutting-edge film studios to world-class defence manufacturing. Today’s investments are about fixing the foundations for future prosperity – backing the sectors that will create good jobs, drive economic growth, and allow communities to thrive.
This is a turning point. Every pound we invest here supports good jobs, strengthens our economy, and boosts the United Kingdom’s standing on the world stage, with Northern Ireland at its heart."
Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University, said:
“This is more than a studio. It’s a symbol of what’s possible when partnerships come together across government, industry and education. With such continuing commitment to the City and Growth Deals, together we can continue to deliver impactful projects that connect innovation to opportunity.”
Professor Declan Keeney, Chief Executive of Studio Ulster, said:
“Studio Ulster, as a globally unique facility, stands at the frontier of world-class storytelling and future-facing innovation. The UK Government’s significant investment and today’s visit together recognise the critical role this facility plays in boosting local skills, attracting international investment, and expanding economic opportunity for communities across Northern Ireland.”
The visit included a behind-the-scenes look at Studio Ulster’s globally unique combination of motion capture stages, large-scale LED volume sets, and 3D and 4D scanning technologies.
Following the tour, the Chancellor led a roundtable discussion with leading experts from across Northern Ireland’s creative industries, including film & TV producers, academic leaders, and technology innovators, to discuss the future of the sector and the role of public investment in unlocking regional growth.
Home to recent major productions like Game of Thrones, Derry Girls, Line of Duty, and Blue Lights, Northern Ireland’s creative sector has experienced remarkable expansion in recent years. In 2022, it generated £1.6 billion in gross value added (3.2% of the region's total), while employing 39,000 people – 4.4% of the workforce (source: DCMS Sector Economic Estimates 2024). These trends underscore the vital role Studio Ulster plays in accelerating this growth trajectory, by anchoring innovation, skills development, and investment in the heart of Northern Ireland’s creative economy.
Officially opened on 19 June 2025, Studio Ulster is already attracting new types of productions to Northern Ireland. The virtual production technology developed for Studio Ulster is class-leading globally and enables productions to create and film anywhere in your imagination with virtually limitless possibilities.
The studio is already creating new types of well-paid jobs in Northern Ireland whilst hoping to sustain and grow the local creative economy. It has already created 12 full-time, permanent jobs, with further recruitment for additional jobs underway. The facility has quickly attracted several high-profile productions resulting in the creation of additional indirect employment opportunities. The nature of the jobs created are those that are highly skilled and of types not previously available in the Northern Ireland region.
The visit comes just weeks after Studio Ulster’s official launch and highlights the importance of long-term public and private investment in levelling up the UK’s creative clusters. Through its integration of industry, academia, and world-class training, Studio Ulster is not only transforming film and TV production workflows, it is also shaping the next generation of talent and driving sustainable economic growth.
