Northern Ireland Screen was honoured with the Special Recognition Award and Belfast was named the Best City of Film at the Global Production Awards (GPAs) at Cannes last night, Monday, May 19.
Taking place during the Cannes Film Festival, with over 270 of the global screen industry’s top executives and producers in attendance, the GPAs celebrate outstanding, sustainable work and highlight the best global locations, outstanding studio facilities, and creative crews and ideas, reflecting the value they bring to local and international production teams.
Northern Ireland Screen was honoured with the Special Recognition Award and the Best City of Film Award for Belfast.
NI Screen honoured with Special Recognition + Best City of Film for Belfast at the #GlobalProductionAwards 🎬
“Northern Ireland Screen… serves as a blueprint for how to operate a vibrant and dynamic film commission.” – Matt Mueller, @Screendaily
🔗https://t.co/fsdEiDt4eF pic.twitter.com/qYOOzpJXs5
— Northern Ireland Screen (@NIScreen) May 20, 2025
“We are incredibly proud to receive the Special Recognition Award and see Belfast named City of Film at this year’s Global Production Awards," Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said.
"Sustainability is central to our vision for Northern Ireland as a world-class screen industry hub, and this recognition from a panel of global screen industry experts makes it especially meaningful. Their acknowledgment affirms the real impact of our efforts, from introducing the UK’s first sustainability support scheme to mandating cleaner fuel, to our continued focus on skills development and collaborative partnerships driving economic growth.
"These awards reflect the dedication of our team and partners who are helping shape a more responsible and dynamic screen industry.”
Special Recognition - Northern Ireland Screen
Northern Ireland Screen was presented with the Special Recognition Award on Monday night for its outstanding contribution to sustainable production.
Screen Daily notes that Northern Ireland Screen was commended for a number of efforts, including its sustainability support scheme, studio sustainability enhancements, investment in virtual production, skills development in the workforce, and nurturing of local talent.
Congratulating the team at Northern Ireland Screen while delivering the most prestigious award of the night, Matt Mueller, Editor-in-Chief at Screen International of Media Business Insight (MBI) Ltd, commented: “How Northern Ireland Screen has driven economic growth through fostering local creative talent, investing in skills development, supporting state-of-the-art infrastructure, and attracting world-class projects serves as a blueprint for how to operate a vibrant and dynamic film commission.
"On top of that, bringing in a new sustainability support scheme demonstrates their key commitment to driving meaningful change on a global scale, while showcasing how a practical approach can deliver quick and tangible results.”
Global Production Awards: The final award of the night - we’re delighted to announce that this year’s Special Recognition Award goes to @NSIScreen – recognised for their powerful commitment to putting environmental sustainability and inclusion at the heart of its production… pic.twitter.com/ipP6qLcTmQ
— Screen International (@Screendaily) May 19, 2025
City of Film - Belfast
Belfast beat out the Gold Coast in Australia, New York City in the US, Sydney in Australia, and Zagreb in Croatia to win the City of Film prize at the Global Production Awards last night.
Judges commended Belfast’s cross-sectoral approach to attracting inward investment and driving economic impact, including how the city leverages tourism opportunities, invests in skills and sustainability initiatives, and fosters vibrant Irish language and Ulster-Scots storytelling.
Global Production Awards: The City of Film award goes to: Belfast, Northern Ireland - @NIScreen #ScreenGPA25 pic.twitter.com/6fpcchE30z
— Screen International (@Screendaily) May 19, 2025
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