£2.5m boost for NI screen industries with QUB’s Medialab

The £2.5 million investment will fund an interdisciplinary research facility, Medialab, with the focus on virtual production – providing research and development and upskilling opportunities for the sector locally.

Advances in computer game engines, scanning technologies and 3D rendering are all said to have driven a convergence of film, games, animation and virtual reality technologies into a new world of virtual production.

The MediaLab project aims to draw together existing strengths in film, drama and storytelling and then marry these with the significant expertise in computer science and engineering at Queen’s.

QUB president and vice-chancellor Professor Ian Greer said: “The MediaLab at Queen’s will create a unique multidisciplinary project that will harness creativity, science and technology in support of new research pathways, while offering innovative skills provision and industry-led R&D that will feed directly into the screen industries in Northern Ireland.

“This investment in research and upskilling will be crucial as we emerge from these challenging times and look towards recovery and regeneration.”

Prof Greer added: “Critically it delivers key investment now in R&D that complements the City Deal initiatives in screen and media.”