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Belfast was invited to ‘take its seat’ for the 9th Jameson Belfast Film Festival today, as the festival programme was launched by the Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Tom Hartley and Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Gregory Campbell.
The Festival, which runs from 26th March until 4th April 2009, was described by Belfast’s Lord Mayor Tom Hartley as: “a cornerstone event in the city’s annual arts calendar”.
Film fans will be treated to over 130 film screenings from over 30 countries as well as an eclectic mix of special events.The Festival, which runs from 26th March until 4th April 2009, was described by Belfast’s Lord Mayor Tom Hartley as: “a cornerstone event in the city’s annual arts calendar”. Film fans will be treated to over 130 film screenings from over 30 countries as well as an eclectic mix of special events.
The Irish Premiere of Little Ashes, a film which chronicles the life of a young Salvador Dali, will kick off the Festival at Movie House Dublin Road on 26th March. Other stars lighting up the city as part of the Festival will include Sir Ben Kingsley and Nathalie Press, stars of 50 Dead Men Walking, the Festival’s closing night Premiere, and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley, Harry Potter) who stars in local feature film Cherrybomb, the Festival’s mid-week Gala screening, alongside James Nesbitt. Comedian Paul Merton will bring his homage to silent comedy, ‘Silent Clowns’ to Movie House, Yorkgate, and actor / film maker Crispin Glover will host a unique event at Belfast’s Queens Film Theatre.
The spotlight will also be shining on local talent, as Festival Director, Michele Devlin, explains: “As the Belfast Film Festival grows each year, we are so proud of the fact that, as well as a strong selection of international and European films, we are able to showcase a burgeoning wealth of local film-making and acting talent.
“We have the eagerly awaited premieres of first features, the locally-made Cherrybomb and Ditching. We are also proud to be screening Pumpgirl starring local talent Samantha Healey and Geraldine Hughes and to be celebrating local legends including Davy Hammond, Brian Desmond Hurst and John T Davis, as part of the 2009 Festival.”
Regular festival-goers will notice some new additions to the programme this year, including the ‘Jameson Sound and Vision’ strand, which will celebrate the role that music plays in film. Supported by Arts & Business, events in this strand will include renditions of the iconic soundtrack to ‘O, Brother, Where Art Thou?’ by local bands at Spring and Airbrake, and a unique screening of The Hunchback of Notre Dame to a live score in the stunning St. Anne’s Cathedral, to name but a few.
A series of discussion and panel events were also announced, Michele continues: “in the wake of the Eames/Bradley report, our socio-political discussion strand, Memory Truth and Transition, will provide a timely catalyst for debate. Films screening within this section include Pray the Devil Back to Hell, which honours the strength and perseverance of the women of Liberia.
“As part of our Spotlight on India we are thrilled to welcome to Belfast, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, one of India’s finest contemporary film-makers, who will host a panel discussion and present some of his films to the local audience.
“Our Jameson Short Film Competition, which highlights local film making talent, received the biggest level of entries to date this year and we look forward to screening the shortlist. Previous finalists of the Jameson Shorts competition include the recently Oscar-nominated New Boy by Steph Green, and Connor Clements’ James, which screened at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Furthermore, documentaries from across the globe will be showcased as part of our international Maysles Brothers Documentary competition.
“Our aim is to bring a celebration of local and international cinema to life in the city of Belfast through a programme of entertaining, educational, informative and enjoyable events.”
Speaking at the launch event, Gregory Campbell, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, said: “The creative industries are becoming increasingly significant for Northern Ireland’s economic, social and cultural wealth and the Belfast Film Festival plays a key role in celebrating the successes, diversity and talent within the local film industry.”
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