The Irish premiere of Kenneth Branagh’s new film to headline at the Belfast Film Festival next month
Belfast, the much-talked-about new film by Kenneth Branagh, will have its Irish premiere at this year’s Belfast Film Festival.
The film, which recently won the Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, is a poignant tale of love, laughter and loss as a boy’s childhood, amid the social and political turmoil of the late 1960s in Northern Ireland.
It stars CaitrÃona Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds and features 10-year-old Jude Hill.
The special event, which opens the 21st Belfast Film Festival on November 4 at ICC Belfast in Waterfront Hall, will be presented by Branagh himself and in the presence of some of the cast from the film A-list in what will be a scintillating comeback party for the film.
And tickets to Belfast go on sale Friday October 8 at 10 a.m.
Commenting on his opening night presence, Kenneth Branagh said: “I am fortunate to have attended film festivals around the world for this most personal film, but I have always hoped that we may be invited to bring Belfast home.
“To be included in the Belfast Film Festival is a great honor for us. This year’s festival is packed with local talent across all areas of the industry, from acting to directing to production, and shows the phenomenal strength of the film industry here.
“It’s great to see our young actors Jude Hill and Lewis McAskie appear in not one but two feature films at the festival and it shows the depth of new acting talent.
“And I couldn’t be more delighted that BrÃd Brennan received a special award – a really great actress and a cherished collaborator from the early days of my career.”
The premiere comes as the Belfast Film Festival shares its theme this year, which is Take everything home.
The 21st Belfast Film Festival is set to showcase a plethora of Irish talent with new films including a psychological thriller starring Andrea Riseborough, Here Before written and directed by Stacey Gregg of East Belfast and a special screening of the captivating occult tale Mandrake directed by Lisburn – born filmmaker Lynne Davison.
The Irish premiere of director Alison Millar’s documentary on the life of murdered journalist Lyra McKee will also be screened. Examining the career and life of the young writer, as well as exploring the tragic incident that led to her death in 2019, Lyra was made with the participation of her family, friends and partner.
Festival Director Michele Devlin said: “The Belfast Film Festival is ‘bringing it all home’ this year with a much needed sprinkle of stardust, as we welcome some of our top film talent to our home. better known internationally.
“The caliber of films screened is inspiring, showing that cinema is indeed making a comeback, and in particular, celebrating Irish film as it continues to thrive on the international circuit.
“We are delighted to host Kenneth Branagh’s Irish premiere from Belfast. A real moment of loop as the writer and director returns to a city very different from that described in the film.
“We are delighted to welcome many other local, new and experienced filmmakers including BrÃd Brennan and Jim Sheridan who will join us in celebrating their impressive careers.
“We look forward to welcoming filmmakers and audiences for 10 days of guests, discussions, music, films and big screen fun… we missed you.”
Northern Ireland Screen Managing Director Richard Williams said: “We are proud that this year’s festival features films by local directors Stacey Gregg, Mark Cousins, Damian McCann, Lynne Davison and Alison Millar and that their films are so diverse and varied in their themes and narration.
“Having the local directors under the direction of Kenneth Branagh makes this a truly remarkable festival program, perfectly timed to restore confidence and excitement in the cinematic audience.”