Belfast Film Festival

Last updated

Belfast Film Festival
Opening film3 November 2022
Closing film12 November 2022
Location Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Founded1995
LanguageEnglish, Irish, mixed
Website http://www.belfastfilmfestival.org

The Belfast Film Festival (BFF) is an annual film festival in Northern Ireland with an attendance over 25,000. In 2022, it launched its International Competition program. BFF includes the Docs Ireland international documentary festival, as well as an Audience Development and Inclusion program. The festival also sponsors year-round film screenings around Belfast.

Contents

History and description

Belfast Film Festival's screening of Mad Max at T13 A previous Belfast Film Festival screening of Mad Max at T13.jpg
Belfast Film Festival's screening of Mad Max at T13

Co-founded in 1995 by Michele Devlin and writer Laurence McKeown, the festival began as a part of Féile an Phobail, and operated as the West Belfast Film Festival (WBFF) from 1995 to 2000. [1] In its third and fourth years, WBFF ran as an independent event and included venues throughout the city. In the year 2000 it became the Belfast Film Festival and expanded into a citywide event. In 2003, the line-up grew to 70 films. [2] [3]

On April 17, 2004, the North Street Arcade suffered a huge fire that completely the internal part of the building. [4] Despite losing their base and all their records, the festival recovered, relocated to Donegall St, and staged the event again the following year. The 2005 festival was launched by award-winning actor Stephen Rea. [5]

In 2010, the festival raised a record of £230,000 ($346,000). [1] By 2016, the festival expanded to a total of 133 films from 30 countries, [6] while the 2018 edition spread to 22 locations and featured 178 films. [7]

In 2022, the festival launched an International Competition for first or second features, sponsored by several organizations, notably Greg Darby’s Yellow Moon. [8] Best Film award goes with a £7,000 monetary prize, while £1,500 are given with Jury Prizes for Outstanding Craft Contribution and Breakout Performance. [9] BFF screens feature and short films, documentaries, host retrospectives as well as world premieres. [10] [11] [12]

As of 2023, the team includes: International Programmer Jess Kiang, UK and Ireland Programmer Rose Baker, Head of Industry and Marketplace Roisin Geraghty, Chair Mark Cousins, and others. [13] [7] BFF's patrons are: Terry George, David Holmes, Pat Murphy, William Crawley, and Stephen Rea. [14] [15]

Belfast Film Festival is sponsored by NI Department for Communities, Arts Council NI, Film Hub NI, Yellow Moon, British Council, Belfast City Council, Northern Ireland Screen and the British Film Institute. [16] [8]

Sections and events

Belfast Film Festival's screening of The Wicker Man at the Giant's Ring A previous Belfast Film Festival screening of The Wicker Man at the Giant's Ring.jpg
Belfast Film Festival's screening of The Wicker Man at the Giant's Ring

Site-specific screenings are a signature part of the festival. Through the years, the management team strived to include people and the fabric of the city in the program. [17] They have screened films in used and disused swimming pools, on a boat in the River Lagan, with live piano accompaniment in St Anne's Cathedral (16mm original version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame ). Carol Reed's Odd Man Out beside the Albert Clock, which featured heavily in the film. [18] BFF hosted screenings at unique architectural sites, including the US political drama The West Wing at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Oh, Mr Porter! at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, The Warriors in a dystopian landscape beneath a city center motorway flyover, and Stanley Kubrick's cult sci-fi epic 2001: A Space Odyssey in the historic dry dock in the city's old shipyards where the RMS Titanic last sat on dry ground. [19] [20] The 2017 screenings of The Exorcist and The Omen were made in the former Holy Rosary Church on the Ormeau Road in south Belfast, which was deconsecrated for almost 40 years. Still, some criticized the choice of the location as insensitive and disrespectful. [21]

In partnership with Belfast One, BFF hosts Belfast Summer Cinema, a 2-days event hosted in the City Hall. [22] [23] [24] In 2018, it also launched Pull Focus, a two-day summer festival of Irish documentary. [25]

Music has also featured strongly in BFF's programming; some highlights include the collaborations with local talents such as Duke Special and David Holmes on audiovisual performances, [26] hosting the Italian progressive rock band Simonetti’s Goblin to perform a live score to Dawn of the Dead; and many more. [27]

Additionally, every year the festival hosts various special events. [28] Belfast Film Festival also sponsors year-round film screenings around Belfast. [29]

In 2019, the documentary section was separated into an independent festival, Docs Ireland. It is operated by the same team, but has its own program, industry section, etc. [3] The festival's industry section, the marketplace, spans for two days and offers filmmakers the possibility to pitch their projects, meet sponsors, distributors and exhibitors. [16] [30] Other sections are: Pull Focus Irish Documentary Competition, Irish Shorts Programmes, New International Documentary, and Back to the Archive. [31]

BFF Award Winners

Short Film Competition

Eoin with his award for Best Short Film at the 17th Belfast Film Festival Short Film winner 2017.png
Eoin with his award for Best Short Film at the 17th Belfast Film Festival
YearFilm TitleDirector(s)Country
2022Sour MilkMark Keane
2022Still Up ThereJoe Loftus
2021Dear EibhlinLaura Conlon 🇮🇪
2020Ciúnas (Silence) (joint winner)Tristan Heanue 🇮🇪
2020The Shift (joint winner)Evan Barry 🇮🇪
2019Hold the LineLaura O'Shea and Karen Killeen 🇮🇪
2018Good GirlsNiamh McKeown 🇮🇪
2017Incoming CallEoin Cleland 🇮🇪
2016Introducing BrianNicolas Keogh 🇬🇧
2015A FlashNiall Cutler 🇮🇪
2014RúbaíLouise Ní Fhiannachta 🇮🇪
2013Toy SoldiersMike Hayes 🇮🇪
2012ExhaleMal Campbell 🇬🇧
2011Even GodsPhil Harrison 🇬🇧
2010ChronoscopeAndrew Legge 🇮🇪
2009Of Best IntentionsBrian Durnin 🇮🇪
2008The Sound of PeopleSimon Fitzmaurice 🇮🇪
2007The White DressVanessa Gildea 🇮🇪
2006Testing Time, Teddy BoyKevin McCann 🇮🇪
2005Fluent DysphasiaDaniel O'Hara 🇮🇪
2004Full CircleSimon Fitzmaurice 🇮🇪
2003SufferingGary Mitchell 🇬🇧

Maysles Brothers Documentary Competition (part of Docs Ireland international documentary festival since 2019)

YearFilm TitleDirector(s)Country
2022The Balcony MoviePawel Łoziński 🇵🇱
2021Writing with FireSushmit Ghosh & Rintu Thomas 🇮🇳
2020Cancelled due to pandemic
2019IslandSteven Eastwood 🇬🇧
2018Still TomorrowJian Fan 🇨🇳
2017Hidden PhotosDavide Grotta 🇮🇹 🇰🇭
2016 Tchindas Marc Serena & Pablo García Pérez de Lara 🇪🇸 🇨🇻
2015Approaching the ElephantAmanda Wilder 🇺🇸
2014 Sepideh - Reaching for the Stars Berit Madsen 🇮🇷 🇩🇰 🇩🇪 🇳🇴 🇸🇪
2013Bad Boy High Security CellJanusz Mrozowski 🇵🇱 🇫🇷
2012The Tiniest Place (El lugar más pequeño)Tatiana Huezo Sánchez 🇲🇽
2011 Marwencol Jeff Malmberg 🇺🇸
2010October CountryMichael Palmieri & Donal Mosher 🇺🇸
2009 Presumed Guilty Roberto Hernández 🇲🇽
2008End of the RainbowRobert Nugent 🇫🇷 🇦🇺
2007Nömadak TxRaúl de la Fuente 🇪🇸

Audience Award

YearFilm TitleDirector(s)Country
2019Heavy TripJukka Vidgren and Juuso Laatio 🇫🇮
2018The Divine Order Petra Biondina Volpe 🇨🇭
2017 A Man Called Ove (En man som heter Ove) Hannes Holm 🇸🇪
2016TradersRachael Moriarty & Peter Murphy 🇮🇪
2015Timbuktu Abderrahmane Sissako 🇲🇷 🇫🇷
2014 The Lunchbox (Dabba) Ritesh Batra 🇮🇳 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 🇺🇸 🇨🇦
2013 Much Ado About Nothing Joss Whedon 🇺🇸
2012 Good Vibrations Lisa Barros D'Sa & Glenn Leyburn 🇬🇧 🇮🇪
2011Simple Simon (I rymden finns inga känslor)Andrea Ohman 🇸🇪
2010Cup CakeColin McIvor 🇬🇧
2009CherrybombLisa Barros D'Sa & Glenn Leyburn 🇬🇧

Short Documentary Competition (part of Docs Ireland international documentary festival since 2019)

YearFilm TitleDirector(s)Country
2022Ireland's Last Matchmaker (joint winner)Sam Howard
2022Mam's Old Chair (joint winner)Sheena Walsh
2021How to Fall in Love in a PandemicMichael-David McKernan
2020HydebankRoss McClean 🇮🇪
2019Strong at the Broken PlacesAnna Rodgers 🇮🇪
2017RaymondDavid Stephenson 🇮🇪
2017MartinDonal Moloney 🇮🇪

Réalta Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cinema

YearNameRole(s)
2021Bríd BrennanActress
2019Robert CarlyleActor
2018Ken LoachDirector
2017John CusackActor
2016 Terence Davies Writer/Director
2012 Stephen Rea Actor
2010 Ciarán Hinds Actor

Lifetime Achievement Award

YearNameRole(s)
2021Roy and Noel SpenceFilmmakers
2014 James Ellis Actor
2010 Haskell Wexler Cinematographer

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Dawtrey, Adam (9 April 2010). "Belfast kicks off fest". Variety. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  2. ↑ "Inclusion". Belfast Film Festival. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  3. 1 2 Rickinson, Steve (21 June 2023). "«We want to provide the audience with some levity and a range of experiences»". Modern Times Review. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  4. ↑ "After the Fire: North Street Arcade ten years on". BBC News. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  5. ↑ "Belfast Festivals Hit By Shock Fire". IFTN. 23 April 2004. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  6. ↑ "Preview: Belfast Film Festival 2016". BFI. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Belfast Film festival to screen '˜F'-rated movies". Newsletter Co Uk. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Belfast Film Festival launches its 2023 programme with writers, workers and world-class features". Northern Ireland Screen. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  9. ↑ "Belfast Film Festival announces dynamic new team and inaugural International Feature Competition". Northern Ireland Screen. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  10. ↑ Brosnan, Seán (20 May 2015). "Belfast Film Festival launches 2015 Programme". IFTN. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  11. ↑ Toner, Aine (27 October 2023). "Simply going to the cinema is quite a revolutionary act these days". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  12. ↑ "Packed programme for this year's Belfast Film Festival". Newsletter. 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  13. ↑ Reid, Kurtis (12 October 2023). "Belfast Film Festival: Line up includes Paul Mescal and Pierce Brosnan films and doc on controversial rap trio Kneecap". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  14. ↑ "New Patron For Belfast Film Festival". 4ni Co UK. 4 March 2008. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  15. ↑ "Belfast Film Festival". IFTN. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  16. 1 2 Economou, Vassilis (18 April 2024). "Docs Ireland to spotlight the Nordics". Cineuropa. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  17. ↑ Goes, Sáoirse (14 October 2022). "Five of the Best: Irish Short Films at BFF". University Times. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  18. ↑ "Odd Man Out makers get thumbs down over Belfast location". BBC. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  19. ↑ "Odd venues for city film festival". Belfast Telegraph. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  20. ↑ Young, David (27 July 2013). "Lights, camera, water as Belfast Film Festival starts". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  21. ↑ "Horror at The Exorcist screening in former church". BBC. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  22. ↑ "Belfast Summer Cinema is back and ready to rock City Hall this summer". Belfast Live. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  23. ↑ "Belfast Film Festival unveils a summer of film fun". IFTN. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  24. ↑ "Summer Cinema Take Two". Belfastone. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  25. ↑ "Belfast Film Festival Launches the 'Pull Focus' Documentary Festival". IFTN. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  26. ↑ "Duke Special in concert". Irish Independent. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  27. ↑ "SIMONETTI'S GOBLIN TO PERFORM AT BELFAST FILM FESTIVAL". Fame Magazine. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  28. ↑ "Belfast film festival promises record number of screenings and events in 10-day movie marathon". Visit Belfast. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  29. ↑ Roy, David (15 July 2016). "Special event: Belfast Film Festival hosts outdoor screenings". The Irish News. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  30. ↑ "Docs Ireland returns With Packed Programme of International Documentary Excellence". BanterFlix. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  31. ↑
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