Northern Ireland

Indian film director Aamir Khan to take part in the Belfast Film Festival

Actress Bronagh Gallagher with Belfast Film Festival director Michele Devlin
Actress Bronagh Gallagher with Belfast Film Festival director Michele Devlin Actress Bronagh Gallagher with Belfast Film Festival director Michele Devlin

INDIAN film director Aamir Khan will make his first visit to Ireland next month to take part in the Belfast Film Festival.

Now in its 19th year, the festival takes place from April 11 to 20 and will screen 90 feature films and 80 short films.

This year's programme will see Mr Khan, regarded as one of the world's most successful actors, directors and producers, take part in an 'In Conversation' event in the Waterfront Hall.

Also well-known for his humanitarian work, his visit will kick off a new five-year 'Cultural Diversity in Film' project that will shine a spotlight on Polish, Chinese and Indian film.

Other special guests include Robert Carlyle, star of Angela's Ashes and Trainspotting, who will receive the outstanding contribution to film award.

Local talent will also be celebrated with a special screening of 'A Bump Along the Way', starring Derry born actress Bronagh Gallagher.

Michele Devlin, director of Belfast Film Festival, said this year's festival includes a "fantastic mix of global and local, with a huge range of events from pop up puppet theatre to an event with one of the biggest movie stars in the world".

"We've seen Belfast Film Festival grow from strength to strength over the years and it has now become a cornerstone of the Belfast events calendar, bringing in tourists to the city and adding a real boost to the local economy."

Visit www.belfastfilmfestival.org for information.