The CoSTAR National R&D Lab, the UK’s first national research and development facility for creative industries, is set to open in January 2026 at Pinewood Studios. Positioned within the CoSTAR Stage at the heart of the Pinewood campus, this cutting-edge facility will house advanced virtual production technology, a 236-square-metre sound stage, and R&D labs featuring spatial audio, volumetric capture, and multisensory devices. With additional resources like a private 5G/6G network and a cloud-based Creative AI Compute Facility, the lab aims to drive technological innovation in filmmaking and creative industries.
Funded as part of the £75.6 million CoSTAR Network Investment from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the lab is designed to support both large studios and smaller creative enterprises. Through Access Programmes, businesses will be able to apply for a share of £7 million in funding to experiment with new storytelling and production technologies. UK Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant emphasized that this initiative will help keep Pinewood Studios—and the UK—at the forefront of cutting-edge filmmaking technologies. Pinewood’s general manager, James Rider, welcomed the investment, stating that the lab will nurture the next generation of talent while evolving the industry’s technological capabilities.
Click here to read the entire article on Bucks Free Press