Entertainment

QFT Belfast celebrates 50th with movies & more

QFT50 will include a preview screening of Neil Armstrong biopic First Man starring Ryan Gosling
QFT50 will include a preview screening of Neil Armstrong biopic First Man starring Ryan Gosling QFT50 will include a preview screening of Neil Armstrong biopic First Man starring Ryan Gosling

QUEEN’S Film Theatre in Belfast is to host a month-long series of film screenings and film-related events to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Throughout October, QFT will mark its half-century of independent cinema by screening a selection of brand new titles and classics in its recently refurbished theatres, alongside over 30 special events including Q&As with film critic Mark Kermode, director Jim Sheridan and the cast of hit sitcom Derry Girls.

QFT50 will kick off on October 5 with the opening of a special exhibition showcasing QFT-related artefacts, photographs and memorabilia from the past 50 years, plus a preview screening of Neil Armstrong biopic First Man starring Ryan Gosling.

Joan Parsons, head of QFT Belfast says: "We are so excited to be celebrating the golden year of Queen’s Film Theatre with an amazing programme of events that takes a trip down memory lane and also looks to the future of film.

"The QFT is deeply embedded in the fabric of student life at Queen’s, but it has also been an important part of culture in Belfast itself and I am really excited to be able to present this programme of events and welcome old friends and new faces to the QFT in October.

"We have films, workshops, talks with renowned film experts like Mark Kermode, book launches, the Derry Girls and even a French-themed disco with tunes provided by David Holmes.

"The celebrations will mark the contribution that the QFT and film has made to Belfast during some very difficult years in the past. We hope that after QFT50 we will have welcomed a whole new audience."

Highlights of the QFT50 Programme include Bloodyminded (October 14), the first ever 'interactive live feature film', a gala screening of The Devil's Doorway (October 19) with director and ex-QFT employee Aisling Clarke, the launch of Mark Kermode's new musical memoir How Does It Feel? with Q&A (October 21) and the screening of favourite Derry Girls episodes with cast and crew (October 23).

The closing night gala will be Steve McQueen's new film Widows with special guests tbc (October 31).

:: Tickets and full programme information available via Queensfilmtheatre.com/qft50