Day 7 was chockablock full of Q&A’s, in conversation events and sing-a-longs!
We were delighted to welcome Graham Linehan to discuss his career in a Q&A with Brian Henry Martin at the amazing Assembly Buildings Conference Centre. Graham, a four time BAFTA winner who is best known for some great comedy hits such as Father Ted, Black Books and the IT Crowd, entertained a packed audience by talking about his successful career, his influences and his top tips for aspiring comedy writers. Graham talked for over an hour and half, took questions from the audience before leaving to a thunderous standing ovation.
Over in the Queen’s Film Theatre we screened Pin Cushion, an off-kilter heart wrenching tale of two generations of outcasts. Director Deborah Haywood took part in a Q&A post-screening and was interviewed by Maggie Cronin, an award winning actress, director and writer.
We also had a screening of Polifonia Basca where we welcomed Catalan journalist Antoni Batista for a post screening discussion. This documentary, directed by Joan Salicru and Ariadana Vasquez, details the Basque conflict and how the situation has resolved since ETA announced the end of its violent activity five years ago.
We also welcomed Emmy award winning screenwriter Ron Hutchinson to the Brian Friel Theatre to take part in a unique talk and performance piece where he revealed the often blackly funny truth about working with the likes of Marlon Brando and Tom Cruise.
In the Moviehouse, Dublin Road we screened Oscar nominated The Breadwinner, celebrated the X-Files in the Black Box, and treated an audience to a Mary Poppins Sing-A-Long at The Strand Arts Centre.