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CoSTAR has launched its "AI for Creativity" initiativeFind out more

Screen LAB

The CoSTAR Screen Lab LED stage is lit up displaying a Martian landscape. An actor in a spacesuit is on the stage. A cameraman is shooting the scene from the side. A group of spectators watch from seats in front of the stage.
spaceman on a Virtually Reality set
People watching a concert
The CoSTAR Screen Lab LED stage showing a colourful background of different coloured squares. There is a logo lock-up overlay including the logos of Studio Ulster and Ulster University.
The CoSTAR Screen Lab LED stage is lit up displaying a Martian landscape. An actor in a spacesuit is on the stage. A cameraman is shooting the scene from the side. A group of spectators watch from seats in front of the stage.
spaceman on a Virtually Reality set
People watching a concert
The CoSTAR Screen Lab LED stage showing a colourful background of different coloured squares. There is a logo lock-up overlay including the logos of Studio Ulster and Ulster University.

A pioneering R&D centre based at Studio Ulster in Belfast

The CoSTAR Screen Lab is a world-class virtual production research and innovation lab advancing real-time screen and performance technologies for film, TV, gaming, and digital entertainment.

Opened2025
WhereStudio Ulster, Belfast
Led byUlster University

Explore Screen Lab

Who we are

People watching a concert
People watching a concert

The CoSTAR Screen Lab is a state-of-the-art virtual production facility that is set to become a global hub for the creative industries, driving the next generation of in-camera visual effects technologies that will revolutionise the UK’s film, TV and performing arts industries.

The lab is based at Studio Ulster, a large-scale virtual production campus at Belfast Harbour Studios.

The Screen Lab is led by an Ulster University consortium which brings together key stakeholders from Northern Ireland Screen, BBC, specialist animation studio Humain, and others.

What we offer

Our Facilities

World-class in-camera virtual effects technologies and R&D infrastructure

The CoSTAR Screen Lab LED stage showing a colourful background of different coloured squares. There is a logo lock-up overlay including the logos of Studio Ulster and Ulster University.

Learn more about the facilities at the CoSTAR Screen Lab

Specifications
The CoSTAR Screen Lab LED stage showing a colourful background of different coloured squares. There is a logo lock-up overlay including the logos of Studio Ulster and Ulster University.

Our Partners

Ulster University's logo
Studio Ulster Logo
BBC Northern Ireland's logo
Belfast Harbour logo
Northern Ireland Screen logo
Humain logo
CoSTAR Screen Lab Highlights
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ScreenLab_RENDR-Festival
CoSTAR Screen Lab

12 Feb 2026Inclusive creativity takes centre stage at CoSTAR Screen Lab during RENDR Festival

Artists, technologists, researchers and entrepreneurs came together at Studio Ulster this week for a landmark concert delivered as part of the RENDR Festival.

Read more
The CoSTAR Screen Lab LED stage is lit up displaying a Martian landscape. An actor in a spacesuit is on the stage. A cameraman is shooting the scene from the side. A group of spectators watch from seats in front of the stage.
CoSTAR Screen Lab

2 Oct 2025CoSTAR Screen Lab Welcomes Two 5G Projects Through Prototypes & Pilots Programme

CoSTAR Screen Lab has selected two companies to support under its Prototypes & Pilots Programme.

Read more
ScreenLab-RachelReeves-visit
CoSTAR Screen Lab

13 Aug 2025Chancellor Rachel Reeves Visits Studio Ulster, Home of the CoSTAR Screen Lab

On Tuesday 12 August, Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, visited Studio Ulster in Belfast to announce £310 million of UK Government investment in Northern Ireland’s City and Growth Deals.

Read more
ScreenLab_Launch_at_Studio-Ulster
CoSTAR Screen Lab

20 Jun 2025Studio Ulster, home of the CoSTAR Screen Lab, officially launches in Belfast

Studio Ulster's Ground-breaking £72 million Virtual Production Facility Launches with Glittering Red-Carpet Event

Read more

Meet the Team

Headshot for Declan Keeney

Professor Declan Keeney

Director
Headshot for Frank Lyons

Professor Frank Lyons MBE

Co-Director
Headshot for Karen Fleming

Professor Karen Fleming

Co-Director
Headshot for Paul Moore

Professor Paul Moore

Co-Director
Headshot for Caroline Harkin

Caroline Harkin

Project Officer
A woman wearing a VR headset poses in a mid-run position and a motion capture skeleton is superimposed on her body displaying how it would be rigged, an Animotive logo is the top right corner and a Google Gemini AI-Created watermark is displayed in the bottom right corner
Screen LAB
event
Workshop

Workshop: An introduction to AI Assisted Pipelines in Motion Capture

27 May 2026

A beginners workshop to Comfy UI, Image Models, Splat Models, Video Models, Custom Mocap Models and more as part of the CoSTAR AI for Creativity initiative.

ScreenLab_RENDR-Festival
Screen LAB
news

Inclusive creativity takes centre stage at CoSTAR Screen Lab during RENDR Festival

Artists, technologists, researchers and entrepreneurs came together at Studio Ulster this week for a landmark concert delivered as part of the RENDR Festival.

Posted: 12 February 2026
The CoSTAR Screen Lab LED stage is lit up displaying a Martian landscape. An actor in a spacesuit is on the stage. A cameraman is shooting the scene from the side. A group of spectators watch from seats in front of the stage.
Screen LAB
news

CoSTAR Screen Lab Welcomes Two 5G Projects Through Prototypes & Pilots Programme

CoSTAR Screen Lab has announced two new R&D projects selected as part of the Network’s first call focused on 5G innovation in the screen and performance sectors.

Posted: 01 October 2025
ScreenLab-RachelReeves-visit
Screen LAB
news

Chancellor Rachel Reeves Visits Studio Ulster, Home of the CoSTAR Screen Lab

On Tuesday 12 August, Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, visited Studio Ulster in Belfast to announce £310 million of UK Government investment in Northern Ireland’s City and Growth Deals.

Posted: 12 August 2025
ScreenLab_Launch
Screen LAB
news

Studio Ulster, home of the CoSTAR Screen Lab, officially launches in Belfast

Studio Ulster's Ground-breaking £72 million Virtual Production Facility Launches with Glittering Red-Carpet Event

Posted: 19 June 2025
LiveLab_MoCapSuits
National LAB
opportunity
Job opportunity

Come work with us - Creative Technologist

Come work with us - Creative Technologist

Posted: 26 March 2025