Schwarzenegger hails £72m Studio Ulster as “the future of film-making”

Pictured at Studio Ulster, L-R are: Dr Theresa Donaldson, Board Chair of Belfast Harbour; Professor Anthony Lilley, Chairman of Studio Ulster; The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; Governor Dr Arnold Schwarzenegger; Professor Declan Keeney Co‑Founder & CEO, Studio Ulster; Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University; and Fiona Kane, Director of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Ulster University.

Fresh from receiving an honorary doctorate from Ulster University, Arnold Schwarzenegger has praised Northern Ireland’s £72 million Studio Ulster as a glimpse into the future of global film-making.

The Hollywood icon and former governor toured the state-of-the-art virtual production complex yesterday, where he was given a behind-the-scenes look at the technology already helping place Northern Ireland at the forefront of the international screen industry.

During the visit, he also met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn.

Developed by Ulster University, Studio Ulster represents a major £72 million investment and is part-funded through the Belfast Region City Deal, backed by the UK Government, the Northern Ireland Executive and local partners.

A world-class facility on Northern Ireland’s doorstep

Built in partnership with Belfast Harbour and supported by Northern Ireland Screen, the complex has been designed as a global benchmark for real-time film production.

At the heart of the facility is its advanced LED volume stage, enabling large-scale virtual production using in-camera visual effects — technology that allows actors and crews to perform within digitally generated worlds in real time.

For film-makers, it means entire environments can be created, altered and switched instantly, dramatically reducing the limitations traditionally imposed by location filming.

Pictured at Studio Ulster, L-R are: Dr Theresa Donaldson; Governor Dr Arnold Schwarzenegger; Professor Declan Keeney Co‑Founder & CEO, Studio Ulster; Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University.

Schwarzenegger was visibly impressed by what he saw.

“This is incredible – it’s an amazing facility that seems so advanced. It changes how actors can work - they can more easily imagine themselves in the world, even stand in these worlds, and change quickly between universes.

“It means for film-makers, that it does not limit your location – it does not limit from where and what, you can film. You can move between worlds and places – the only limit is your imagination.”

That quote alone underlines the scale of ambition behind the project — not simply as a regional studio, but as a facility aiming to compete on the world stage.

Boost for jobs, skills and creative industries

Studio Ulster has been built to support productions of every scale, from blockbuster films and premium television drama to AAA gaming and high-end animation.

Its production pipeline integrates real-time engines, motion tracking, volumetric capture and advanced visual effects, creating a seamless and more sustainable way to produce content.

For Northern Ireland, the significance goes far beyond the studio walls.

The project strengthens the region’s growing reputation as a creative and digital storytelling hub, while also creating highly skilled jobs and training pathways for local graduates.

Alongside the CoSTAR Screen Lab and the Ulster Screen Academy, Ulster University says the facility is helping equip students with the skills needed for one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors.

Already attracting major productions, Studio Ulster is expected to further cement Northern Ireland’s place on the international map for screen innovation.

A major moment for the region

For local audiences, the visit by one of Hollywood’s most recognisable names is more than a celebrity endorsement — it is a strong signal of confidence in Northern Ireland’s creative future.

With global productions increasingly turning to virtual production technology, Studio Ulster’s emergence could prove transformative for the regional economy, bringing investment, talent and international attention.

For Schwarzenegger, the message was simple: the future of storytelling is already taking shape here.

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At a glance

• Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Studio Ulster following his honorary doctorate from Ulster University

• He described the £72 million complex as “incredible”

• The facility uses advanced virtual production and real-time film-making technology

• Studio Ulster is backed by the Belfast Region City Deal

• Partners include Ulster University, Belfast Harbour and Northern Ireland Screen

• The studio supports film, television, gaming and animation projects

• The project is creating highly skilled jobs in Northern Ireland

• It further strengthens the region’s growing reputation in global screen production