Northern Ireland’s Inaugural Screen Industry Sustainability Showcase Drives Positive Change
Date Posted: October 3, 2024
Northern Ireland Screen, in partnership with BBC Northern Ireland and Belfast Harbour, successfully hosted the inaugural Screen Industry Sustainability Showcase at Belfast Harbour Studios on Wednesday, 2nd October. The event brought together key players from across the screen industry sector to explore solutions that promote environmental responsibility, economic viability, and creative innovation.
The event, held as part of the BBC Climate Creatives initiative, featured panels with leading sustainability voices including representatives from Albert, PACT, and Studio Ulster, alongside local suppliers Balloo Hire and Sunbelt Rentals who shared insights into their sustainability policies and offerings. These discussions, aimed at highlighting the industry’s collective responsibility, centred around the adoption of sustainable production methods and the challenges and opportunities these present for local producers and broadcasters.
A Platform for Collaboration and Progress
Richard Williams, Chief Executive at Northern Ireland Screen, emphasised the significance of the event in reinforcing Northern Ireland Screen’s commitment to sustainability. “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,” he noted. “This event has been a fantastic opportunity to bring together industry decision-makers, local suppliers, and global experts. Through collaboration, we’ve been able to share best practices, explore valuable resources, and discuss future trends that will contribute to creating a more sustainable industry.”
This showcase is part of Northern Ireland Screen’s broader four-year strategy, Stories, Skills, and Sustainability, which focuses on embedding sustainability into all aspects of the screen industry. Several initiatives have already seen success, such as the transition to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to replace diesel, the use of technologies to reduce food waste, and the establishment of Northern Ireland’s first production-based sustainability department.
The BBC also reaffirmed its commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050 through the Climate Creatives initiative, which coincided with sustainability events in London, Cardiff, and Glasgow
The Screen Industry Sustainability Showcase was a success, sparking important conversations and laying the foundation for future collaboration in creating a more sustainable screen industry in Northern Ireland. Attendees left with actionable insights and a shared determination to drive positive change in the sector.
The event was sponsored by the SCREEN CLUSTER, an initiative designed to identify skills shortages and co-ordinate skills and training opportunities for crew in Northern Ireland. Funded by National Lottery funding from the British Film Institute (BFI) and delivered by Northern Ireland Screen in consultation with industry, the SCREEN cluster supports the skills development and professional growth of local crew and aspiring crew.
For more information on the event or to stay updated on future initiatives, visit the Northern Ireland Screen website and sign up to the newsletter.
