The Waterfront Hall Logo.
  • My Tickets
  • About
    • Meet The Team
    • Corporate Social Responsibility
    • Vision, Mission & Values
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Accessibility Booking Form
  • What's On
    • Music
    • Comedy
    • Family
    • Theatre
  • Your Visit
    • How to Book Tickets
    • Upcoming Show Times
    • My Visit to Waterfront Hall
    • Accessibility
    • Safety and Security
    • Terms & Conditions
    • House Guidelines
    • Refund Protection
    • Seating Plan - Waterfront Hall
  • Media Centre
  • Gift Vouchers
  • My Tickets
  • About
  • Basket
  • What's On
  • Your Visit
  • Media Centre
  • Home ›
  • Media Centre ›
  • Kenneth Branagh’s glittering homecoming as he opens Belfast Film Festival with Irish premiere of his ‘Belfast’ epic

Kenneth Branagh’s glittering homecoming as he opens Belfast Film Festival with Irish premiere of his ‘Belfast’ epic

     Send it to a friend
Article image for Kenneth Branagh’s glittering homecoming as he opens Belfast Film Festival with Irish premiere of his ‘Belfast’ epic

Date

5th November 2021

Award-winning actor, writer and director, Kenneth Branagh has returned to his hometown as he opened the 21st Belfast Film Festival with the Irish Premiere of his newest work, ‘Belfast’ ahead of its release in UK and Irish cinemas on January 21 2022.

The award-winning film is a poignant story of love, laughter and loss in one boy’s childhood, amid the social and political tumult of the late 1960s.

Stars including Jamie Dornan, Caitríona Balfe, Ciarán Hinds and 10-year old Jude Hill joined Branagh on the ‘Belfast’ red-carpet at the ICC Belfast | Waterfront Hall.

The Irish premiere of ‘Belfast’ was co-hosted by Northern Ireland Screen and Belfast Film Festival.

‘Belfast’ has received plaudits from the global film industry and was awarded Toronto International Film Festival’s People Choice Award following its screening in September.

We couldn’t be prouder to have welcomed Kenneth Branagh and his brilliant new film to Belfast to open the 21st Belfast Film Festival. His lovingly-crafted homage to his hometown and it’s citizens perfectly encapsulates the theme of this year’s festival ‘bringing it all back home’. It is an honour to have Ken and the cast ‘back home’ to the city to celebrate the inspiring energy and heart that went into creating his ‘Oscar-tipped’ film. Michele Devlin, Director of Belfast Film Festival

“After a turbulent year, and many months of movies on the small screen, it is so thrilling to be bringing audiences back to the big screen and to showcase local talent. Year on year we see exceptional filmmakers blossoming and producing world-class films. We are thrilled to be highlighting some of these filmmakers at this year’s festival and celebrate the very best of Irish film.”

Belfast Film Festival returns to celebrate its 21st year with a festival brimming with local films and stars, running from 4-13 November.

With an overarching theme of ‘bringing it all back home, the festival will screen and celebrate an esteemed group of Irish filmmakers including east Belfast’s Stacey Gregg’s ‘Here Before’; ‘Mandrake’ by Lynne Davison and Northern Ireland’s first Irish language film, ‘Doineann’ by Belfast based Double Band Films.

BAFTA-winning director, Alison Millar will debut her newest documentary on the life and death of journalist Lyra McKee at the festival, which was made in partnership with Lyra’s family, friends and partner.

Bríd Brennan will join the festival line-up for an ‘in-conversation event which will see the acclaimed actress received the Belfast Film Festival’s Réalta Award for Outstanding Contribution to Irish Film.

Belfast Film Festival is proudly sponsored by Birra Moretti, Hastings Hotels and supported by Northern Ireland Screen, Belfast City Council, Department for Communities, Tourism NI, Film Hub NI.

Film screenings and events will take place both online and in cinemas and venues across Belfast including Odeon Cinema, Queen’s Film Theatre, The Strand Cinema and Common Market.


Related Articles

Article image for Out of the Studio and onto the Stage

Blog

Out of the Studio and onto the Stage

In a rapidly evolving digital world, podcasts have emerged as a captivating medium, offering a unique blend of education, entertainment, and insight. Podcasts are more than just audio; they're portals...

Article image for A Scarf For Lewy Belfast

Press Releases

A Scarf For Lewy Belfast

Wraparound support for an event with a difference The Lewy Body Society invited people to knit a giant scarf, forming a mile-long masterpiece that encircled the Waterfront Hall, Belfast in...

Article image for Just The Ticket - Things to do this Autumn and Winter

Blog

Just The Ticket - Things to do this Autumn and Winter

The Ulster Hall has been the pulse of Belfast’s live entertainment scene for over 150 years and the Waterfront Hall is an iconic venue which has been instrumental in bringing...

Article image for A Scarf for Lewy

Press Releases

A Scarf for Lewy

On Tuesday 17 October 2023, Waterfront Hall will host an event with a difference. Following the great success in 2022 when The Lewy Body Society wrapped the massive 244m circumference...

Article image for Your Belfast Nights – Things to do this Spring and Summer

Blog

Your Belfast Nights – Things to do this Spring and Summer

From comedy legends to gigs with music icons and the best family-friendly shows for your little ones, Belfast is a city that has it all – and we’ve got you...

Article image for World-Class Women

Blog

World-Class Women

Women are a fundamental part of music, creating smash-hit records, influencing genres and soothing the soul with their art. From Rockstars to Pop Princesses, Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall have...

Article image for Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall receive Autism NI Impact Award

Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall receive Autism NI Impact Award

Celebrating diversity and championing inclusivity is key. The Autism NI impact award is the latest development in a programme of activity at the Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall to support...

Article image for Impressive turn of events as ticket sales return to pre-pandemic levels

Press Releases

Impressive turn of events as ticket sales return to pre-pandemic levels

More than 370,000 patrons visited our world-class venues last year Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd., the organisation responsible for Waterfront Hall and the iconic Ulster Hall, has reported that...

Article image for Waterfront Hall supports the 'Ask for Angela' campaign

News

Waterfront Hall supports the 'Ask for Angela' campaign

We are proud to join together with licensed venues and security staff across Northern Ireland to support the ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign. This is an initiative from the Police Service...

Article image for Strictly Stars come to Belfast!

Blog

Strictly Stars come to Belfast!

We're dancing because Strictly Come Dancing is back on our screens this weekend! Find out which Strictly stars are visiting Belfast throughout 2022 and 2023! These stars are bringing the...

The Belfast Waterfront Logo.
The Ulter Hall Logo.

BWUH Ltd is registered as a company in Northern Ireland

Registration Number: NI635764
Registered address: 2 Lanyon Place, Belfast, BT1 3WH

Sign-up to our mailing list below:

By submitting your email address, you agree to receive updates in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

  • What's On
  • Events this week
  • Events this month
  • Christmas with Anton Du Beke
  • Methodist Easter Concert
  • My Leonard Cohen
  • Dick and Angel: Forever Home
  • Your Visit
  • How to Book Tickets
  • Upcoming Show Times
  • My Visit to Waterfront Hall
  • Accessibility
  • Safety and Security
  • Terms & Conditions
  • House Guidelines
  • Refund Protection
  • Seating Plan - Waterfront Hall
  • About
  • Meet The Team
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Vision, Mission & Values
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility Booking Form
  • Venues
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • Disclaimer
  • Copyright
  • Sitemap

© Waterfront Hall 2023

Customer Service 028 9033 4455

  • Trip Advisor LogoTrip Advisor.
  • Instagram LogoInstagram.
  • Instagram LogoYouTube.
  • Instagram LogoTwitter.
  • Instagram LogoFacebook.
X