Permission sought to close roads for advert and feature film

ANTRIM High Street and a rural area of Randalstown could both be used as filming locations next month.

Two companies have applied to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council seeking road closures in February.

The Gate Films Limited wishes to film a road safety advertisement on behalf of the Department for Infrastructure on Saturday 14th February and Sunday 15th February 2026

The council has given notice that it is ‘minded to make an order to temporarily restrict or prohibit vehicular traffic from High Street, Antrim, between the junction of Bridge Street, Antrim and Railway Street, Antrim.

Closures are proposed between 8pm on Saturday 14th February 2026 and 8pm on Sunday 15th February 2026.

The notice said: “Direction on traffic management will be provided and a diversion route will be signposted.

“Arrangements can be made to inspect the application free of charge, by contacting the Council.

“Persons wishing to make representations to the council regarding the proposal may do so in writing by 5pm on Tuesday 3rd February 2026.

“Representations received after this will not be considered.”

Meanwhile, the council has also received an application from Stigma Films it wishes to make arrangements to film on the road for the purposes of filming a feature film on Thursday 12th February and Friday 13th February 2026

This could effect the Ballylurgan Road, Randalstown between the junction of Craigstown Road, Randalstown and Barnish Road, Randalstown. Closures are proposed between 6pm on Thursday 12th February 2026 and 6am on Friday 13th February 2026.

Again, anyone wishing to make representations may do so in writing by 5pm on Tuesday 3rd February 2026.

Producer Matthew James Wilkinson launched Stigma Films in 2012, having previously worked as a Development Executive at Working Title Films.

The company has successfully produced features with Netflix, Sky, Shudder, Entertainment, IFC and more, and among others has developed projects with Curzon, BFI, Creative England, Altitude.

Stigma has produced seventeen features to date, including Netflix Original, Choose or Die, starring Asa Butterfield released in early 2022. The film ranked No.1 in the UK, US and Canada on its opening weekend.

Last Train to Christmas, starring Michael Sheen and Nathalie Emmanuel aired in Christmas 2021, to a festive audience of over 1 million viewers.

Yesterday, for Working Title Films/Universal, written by Richard Curtis and directed by Danny Boyle, made over $160m at the Worldwide box office.

Stigma’s most recent release was Seize Them! a medieval comedy, starring Aimee Lou Wood, Nicola Coughlan, Lolly Adefope, Jessica Hynes and Nick Frost.

In the pipeline to start shooting in 2026 are Brian Kelly’s thriller No Way Off starring Maria Bakalova and Ita Fitzgerald’s Ireland-set comedy-drama West The Road, starring Imelda Staunton.