You may sometimes know a scene by heart yet have no idea how it was made. Who set the lighting for a set that does not exist? How do you give weight to a drawn character? In Belfast, RENDR invites you to look behind the screen. Over two evenings, the festival brings together people who make films, games and digital installations. Their meeting place is Banana Block, housed in a former mill in the east of the city.
At RENDR, the talks focus on how works are made. Different professions come together: animation brings a character to life, visual effects combine filmed and digital elements, and video games must make a world clear down to its smallest corners. If it is your first visit, choose a talk centred on a project you know: it will give you a point of comparison between what you saw on screen and the decisions made behind the scenes.
The 2026 edition gives an idea of the format. It notably welcomed James Carson, visual effects supervisor on KPop Demon Hunters. This kind of meeting connects professions that are often little known with a specific film. It is a good way in, whether you are coming to discover a profession or simply out of curiosity as a viewer.
Banana Block will host the 2027 edition on 25 and 26 February. The organiser has announced two stages, more than twenty speakers, performances, music and a night market. The guest list and detailed timings have yet to be confirmed. The official RENDR announcement is the place to follow updates; studio logos and guest names from previous editions do not constitute the 2027 line-up.
If two talks appeal to you, also allow time to move between the stages and discover what is on offer at the venue. Conversations around the talks are part of the event, particularly for students and professionals who want to ask questions about a profession or meet other creatives. If you are mainly coming for an immersive experience, wait for the full programme before choosing your evening.
The festival takes place at Portview Trade Centre, in the former Strand Spinning Mill. The building is a reminder of the textile history of EastSide. To extend your visit before the festival, continue to C. S. Lewis Square, where the sculptures dedicated to The Chronicles of Narnia offer another perspective on how to give shape to a fictional world.
From the city centre, the G1 Glider serves Connswater; Metro 3 also provides access to the area. Check the return journey with Translink before setting off, as activities take place in the evening. For ticketing, age restrictions or the accessibility of a particular installation, rely on the information for the 2027 edition rather than the pages from previous years that are still online.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
Banana Block, Portview Trade Centre, 310 Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 1HE, EastSide, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Tourist sites in Ireland
