Northern Ireland Screen, in partnership with BBC Northern Ireland and Belfast Harbour will host the inaugural Screen Industry Sustainability Showcase, an event dedicated to fostering sustainability within the screen industry. The event will take place on Wednesday, 2nd October at Belfast Harbour Studios.
As part of the BBC Climate Creatives initiative, the event will feature panels with representatives from Albert, PACT and the team behind Studio Ulster alongside local suppliers who will present their sustainability policies, funding, production support, products and services to the Northern Ireland screen industry.
This showcase underscores the collective responsibility of the industry to adopt sustainable practices that ensure long-term environmental responsibility, economic viability, and continuous creative innovation. It will also create the opportunity to discuss the editorial and production challenges and opportunities for local producers and broadcasters.
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Gavin Kelly, Sustainability and Facilities Manager at Northern Ireland Screen, commented: “To uphold our reputation as a leading screen industry, it is essential that we adopt innovative, sustainable techniques and technologies that align with global standards. Through our four-year strategy, Stories, Skills, and Sustainability, we are dedicated to building a more sustainable industry. With several successful initiatives already in progress, this event will further strengthen our efforts by uniting industry decision-makers, local suppliers, and global experts. Together, we can share best practices, explore available resources with proven outcomes, and discuss future trends, all with the goal of creating a more sustainable industry.”
The event will be held on Wednesday 2nd October from 9am-2.30pm at Belfast Harbour Studios, the first film studios in the UK to be certified as ‘BREEAM Excellent. Open to all professionals working within the NI screen industry, free tickets can be secured through the Northern Ireland Screen website.
The showcase is part of the BBC's Climate Creatives initiative which sees Sustainability focussed events running simultaneously in London, Cardiff and Glasgow, as well as Belfast.
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Shane Glynn, Sustainability Lead, BBC Nations, said: “The BBC is on a journey to become Net Zero by 2050. We’re also committed to creating content that helps audiences understand what tackling climate change might mean for them, as well as inspire and inform sustainable choices. A key challenge, both for our in-house teams and independent suppliers, is to make our content more sustainably. As part of the BBC’s Climate Creatives initiative, it’s fantastic that we’re bringing together key suppliers, stakeholders and decision-makers from across the industry in Northern Ireland to better understand the support and options that are available to help us all achieve our sustainability goals.”
Welcoming the event to Belfast Harbour Studios, Natasha Sayee, Corporate Affairs and Engagement Director at Belfast Harbour, said: “We are proud of the steps we have taken and the investments we have made to become a more sustainable business. Our record on greenhouse gas reduction is striking, having achieved a 57% reduction in emissions since 2015 and, in 2023 alone, reducing emissions by 18%. We are now well ahead of our target to reach Net-Zero in our direct operations over the next 2-3 years, making us the first port operator in the UK and on the island of Ireland to do so. We are delighted to be hosting this event at Belfast Harbour Studios, the first film studios in the UK to be certified as ‘BREEAM Excellent’, which recognises best practice in sustainable building design. We look forward to welcoming guests to this special showcase and to seeing the many positive outcomes which will result from the event.”
As part of Northern Ireland Screen’s four-year strategy, Stories, Skills, and Sustainability, several successful sustainability initiatives have already been implemented across all screen sectors. These include the transition from diesel to HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), the adoption of technologies to minimise food waste while providing meals to local communities, and the development of Northern Ireland’s first production-based sustainability department.
Tickets available on the NI Screen website.
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