Creative powerhouses behind KPop Demon Hunters and Fallout series Belfast-bound for RENDR Festival 2026

RENDR, the festival widely regarded as the creative meet-up of the year, has confirmed its return to Belfast in 2026 with an all-star line-up featuring some of the biggest names in film, television, gaming, animation and immersive tech.

Taking place from 12–13 February at Portview Trade Centre in East Belfast, the two-day event promises “genre-busting technology and creative inspiration” supported by Northern Ireland Screen, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council and Visit Belfast.

More than 30 leading figures from across the global creative sectors will speak across two stages – the RENDR Stage and the BLOCK stage – delivering keynote addresses, demonstrations and hands-on sessions.

Attendees will also have access to interactive showcases of new technologies, digital art exhibits, gaming experiences, and industry workshops tailored for emerging creatives. Portfolio review sessions will be available with top studios and seasoned industry professionals.

Blockbuster speakers revealed

Belfast-born CG Supervisor James Carson of Sony Pictures Imageworks

In keeping with its mission to connect Northern Ireland with international creative innovation, RENDR has unveiled an early line-up of major global talent.

Among the headline speakers is Belfast-born CG Supervisor James Carson of Sony Pictures Imageworks, whose latest credit includes the global animated phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters for Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix.

Carson, who joined Imageworks in 2015, has contributed to an array of high-profile projects such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Smurfs: The Lost Village, The Angry Birds Movie 2, and Alice Through the Looking Glass.

Jay Worth, the Emmy-winning VFX supervisor

Tobias Weisner, compositing supervisor at WēTā FX and part of the VFX team behind HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2

Also taking to the stage is Jay Worth, the Emmy-winning VFX supervisor celebrated for his work on Westworld, Lost, and most recently the Amazon Prime adaptation of Bethesda Game Studios’ Fallout series.

Further international talent includes Giovanna Ferrari of Cartoon Saloon, who served as head of story and animation director on the Oscar-nominated My Father’s Dragon; Tobias Weisner, compositing supervisor at WēTā FX and part of the VFX team behind HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2; and digital media innovator Matthew Scott, founder of Playhuman, a platform reshaping digital entertainment and linear storytelling.

Prime’s Fallout season two promo

Scene from HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2

Spotlight on practical effects

RENDR 2026 will not be limited to digital creative fields. The festival will also highlight practical effects, bringing multidisciplinary expertise to Belfast.

Los Angeles-based practical FX expert Camille Balsamo-Gillis, co-founder of ProMachina, will offer insights into miniature creation for film and TV, including work on The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

From Limerick’s Studio Odyssey, one of Europe’s largest model-making facilities, Mark Maher – whose credits include The Hobbit trilogy – will discuss his role as head of department prop making on season two of Netflix’s Wednesday.

“A space where creativity and technology collide”

RENDR festival director Michael Weir said the event is designed to remain at the forefront of the creative industries and build Northern Ireland’s role on the global stage.

“We’re really proud to be at the heart of our growing creative sector to help incubate new ideas. RENDR is for the artist, the developer, the student, and the industry veteran. It’s a space where creativity and technology collide in spectacular fashion to connect the island with the global creative community and inspire – maybe even challenge – the next generation to push at the boundaries of possibility.”

Early bird tickets for standard entry, concession and VIP access are now on sale, with additional speakers to be announced in the coming weeks.

For full details and bookings, visit the RENDR website.