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Creative technology

Northern Ireland’s digital creativity sector is a fusion of exceptional talent and state-of-the-art technology.

It has a vibrant industry of companies that are working with global clients and international partners to deliver creative solutions within gaming, animation, media production and post-production, interactive content and e-learning.

A flourishing animation cluster continues to thrive, supported by undergraduate courses in the region’s university and college network.

With world-class studio facilities and access to a highly-skilled talent pool, Northern Ireland also enjoys global recognition as an important production centre for film and television. HBO’s epic fantasy television series Game of Thrones® was largely filmed in Northern Ireland. Other companies such as Universal Pictures, BBC and Disney have also chosen Northern Ireland for recent productions.

  • Sixteen South has won over 50 international awards including two EMMY® nominations

  • Game of Thrones® was largely filmed in Northern Ireland

  • The Pixel Mill offers a ground-breaking incubation programme for game development teams

  • Post-production house Yellowmoon is decorated with Oscar®, Emmy® and BAFTA® nominations

Areas of Expertise

Animation

Area of sector expertise

  • Kids 2D animation
  • CGI animation
  • Original productions
  • Service facilities
  • Northern Ireland’s animation cluster produces world-class global award winning children’s entertainment programmes that are broadcast worldwide, such as Lily’s Driftwood Bay by Sixteen South, Pablo by Paper Owl Films and Puffin Rock by Dog Ears.
  • Characterised by established and new entrant companies that develop, create and distribute new shows and recurring series.
  • The creative talent pool in Northern Ireland is the bedrock on which the industry is built and has attracted international companies and productions to the region, such as multi-award-winning leading creator and producer of animated and live action content JAM Media.

Gaming

Area of sector expertise

  • Game development
  • Mobile apps
  • Service facilities
  • Northern Ireland's gaming industry is a developing cluster that has been bolstered by the creation of the Pixel Mill, an interactive sector-specific co-working space in collaboration with the funding, skills and talent and development support funded by Northern Ireland Screen.
  • A major addition to the local industry is Hypixel Studios which is currently developing Hytale, a community-powered block game that combines the scope of a creative sandbox with the depth of a roleplaying game.
  • Award-winning game development studio Italic Pig has recently joined forces with international games publisher, The Irregular Corporation, to create Paleo Pines, one of the largest video game production deals in Northern Ireland history.
  • Northern Ireland firm Go Testify is providing the most relevant real-world players on-demand for game developers. This ensures the highest quality insights, freeing game developers to focus on delivering the ultimate experience for every player.

EdTech

Area of sector expertise

  • Learning management systems
  • Enterprise e-learning services
  • Technology is deeply engrained in Northern Ireland's education system.
  • Excellence in teaching is combined with innovative educational platforms and connectivity, to produce students who regularly outperform their counterparts in the rest of the UK.
  • A cluster of forward-thinking EdTech companies have been exporting internationally for some time, with new innovative technologies and start-ups constantly emerging including Texthelp, Learning Pool, and Sentireal.

Interactive content

Area of sector expertise

  • Marketing solutions
  • Brand development
  • Communication platforms
  • AR&VR
  • E-commerce solutions
  • Home to innovative companies specialising in marketing solutions, brand development, communication platforms, AR&VR, and e-commerce solutions. These companies provide their products and services to leading clients from the UK and international markets.
  • With a competitive local cluster, technological advancements are regularly being brought to the fore, strengthening Northern Ireland’s position as a hub of digital creativity.
  • Northern Ireland companies in the cluster include Yellow Design, Thrive, Made to Engage, Built For Growth Digital, and Smarts.

Film & tv production

Area of sector expertise

  • Large scale production
  • Large scale production
  • Independent film
  • Post-production
  • Recognised globally as an important production centre for film and television, with world-class studio facilities and access to a highly-skilled talent pool.
  • HBO’s epic fantasy television series Game of Thrones® was largely filmed in Northern Ireland. Other companies such as Universal Pictures, BBC, and Disney have also chosen Northern Ireland for recent productions.
  • Vibrant cluster of production companies, developing content for national and international networks and SVODs.
  • Post-production companies are delivering award-winning services for a range of national and international clients, whilst corporate production services providers are delivering projects for government bodies, businesses, conferences, and events.
  • Companies in the cluster include Yellowmoon, Pi Comms, Rare TV, and Waddell Media.

Northern Ireland for foreign direct investment

Northern Ireland is an attractive place for investment in the creative technology sector thanks to a combination of factors including skills availability, excellent infrastructure, cost-effectiveness and a supportive business environment. To find out more, visit our Invest in Northern Ireland section.

Get in touch

Connect with a member of our creative technology team via LinkedIn.

Please get in touch.  You can find a team in your region or fill in an enquiry form and a member of the team will contact you directly.

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