Bringing It All Back Home is the theme of the 21st
Belfast Film Festival (4–13 November), which is bursting with new works by Irish talent.
Headlining the programme is the latest film from acclaimed Belfast-born director Kenneth Branagh, which recently scooped the People’s Choice award at the Toronto International Film Festival and is now tipped for Oscar success in 2022.
‘Belfast’ is a poignant story of love, laughter and loss in one boy’s childhood, amid the social and political tumult of the late 1960s. Its stellar cast includes Caitríona Balfe, Dame Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds and 10-year-old Jude Hill.
The screening will open the festival and will be introduced by Kenneth Branagh himself, who has commented: “I am fortunate to have attended film festivals throughout the world for this most personal of films, but it was always my hope that we might be invited to bring ‘Belfast’ home.
“To be included as a part of the Belfast Film Festival is a great honour for us. This year’s festival is packed with local talent in all areas of the industry from acting and directing to producing, and shows the phenomenal strength of the film industry here.”
Other highlights include the debut of Belfast-based company Doubleband’s first Irish language feature drama ‘Doineann’ (Storm), directed by Damian McCann, written by Aislinn Clarke and starring renowned actor Bríd Brennan.
Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Mark Cousins will screen one of his latest documentaries, ‘The Storms of Jeremy Thomas’, which takes an in-depth look at the illustrious career of the Oscar-winning producer.
And a new psychological thriller, ‘Here Before’, written and directed by Belfast’s Stacey Gregg will get its first showing. A number of short films will also be screened in competition.
Outside of the movies and music, a host of special guests, including actor Bríd Brennan, acclaimed director, Jim Sheridan and writer Helen O’Hara will take part in talks about their work.
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