Belfast Film Festival – Northern Ireland 2025

Background & History

The Belfast Film Festival, established in 1995, is Northern Ireland’s largest film festival, set to celebrate its 25th edition in November 2025. Attracting over 25,000 attendees annually, it showcases a diverse program of new, short, and classic cinema from Ireland and worldwide, curated by programmers Rose Baker and Jess Kiang.

Known for its “invigorating jolt of culture” (Irish Times, 2022), the festival champions local talent through its Irish Shorts Competition and NI Independents strand while featuring global films via its International Competition. The Belfast XR Festival, a virtual reality strand, highlights immersive technology. With site-specific screenings and moving image art exhibits, it emphasizes film as an experience, fostering cultural dialogue in Belfast.

Event Highlights

• Diverse Programming: Features Irish shorts, NI feature films, international premieres, and classic screenings.
• Belfast XR Festival: Showcases cutting-edge virtual reality and immersive content.
• Pay What You Can (PWYC): Affordable ticketing for most screenings, enhancing accessibility.
• Gala Screenings: High-profile opening and closing events with fixed pricing.
• Local Focus: Irish Shorts Competition and NI Independents strand for Northern Irish filmmakers.
• Cultural Venues: Screenings in unique settings like museums, cinemas, and pop-up spaces.

Categories

• Music & Arts: Includes moving image art exhibits and immersive VR experiences.
• Cultural & Traditional: Emphasizes Northern Irish and Irish cinema through competitions and showcases.
• Comedy & Theatre: Features narrative films and documentaries with comedic or theatrical elements.

City

• Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom: Screenings across Belfast city centre, from historic venues to modern cinemas, with a focus on cultural hubs like Queen’s University and Donegall Street.

Main Event Address

• Various venues across Belfast, with key screenings at Queen’s Film Theatre, 20 University Square, Belfast, BT7 1PA, United Kingdom: Central hub for major festival screenings and events.

Date & Duration

• Dates: November 2025 (exact start and end dates TBD, likely early to mid-November based on 2024’s October 31–November 9 run).
• Duration: Approximately 8–10 days, pending confirmation.

Venue / Location

The festival spans multiple venues across Belfast, offering a mix of traditional cinemas, cultural institutions, and unique spaces.

• Key Venues:
  • Queen’s Film Theatre: 20 University Square, Belfast, BT7 1PA (main hub, narrative and short films).
  • Odeon Belfast: 1 Victoria Square, Belfast, BT1 4QG (blockbuster and gala screenings).
  • Ulster Museum: Botanic Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5AB (site-specific screenings, art exhibits).
  • Strand Arts Centre: 152–154 Holywood Road, Belfast, BT4 1NY (independent and classic films).
  • Beanbag Cinema: Various pop-up locations (TBD, immersive and VR screenings).
  • The Black Box: 18–22 Hill Street, Belfast, BT1 2LA (experimental films, events).
  • Waterfront Hall: 2 Lanyon Place, Belfast, BT1 3WH (gala events, large screenings).
• Note: Venue list may expand; check belfastfilmfestival.org for 2025 updates by October.

Contact Information

• Email: moyra@belfastfilmfestival.org
• Phone: +44 28 9032 5913
• Website: www.belfastfilmfestival.org
• Social Media: Follow @belfastfilmfest on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for updates.
• Office Address: 23 Donegall Street, Belfast, BT1 2FF, United Kingdom (administrative, not main event venue).
• Submission Contacts: rose@belfastfilmfestival.org (NI Independents); james@belfastfilmfestival.org (shorts eligibility).

Ticket Information

• How to Purchase: Tickets available via belfastfilmfestival.org, venue box offices (e.g., Queen’s Film Theatre), or bit.ly/qBSzCs. Group discounts and multi-screening passes may be offered; check the website closer to November 2025.
• 2025 Pricing (Estimated, Based on 2024 Rates in USD):
  • Pay What You Can (PWYC): ~£5–£10 GBP (~$6.25–$12.50 USD) for most screenings, allowing flexible pricing for accessibility.
  • Opening/Closing Gala: ~£12 GBP (~$15 USD) standard; ~£10 GBP (~$12.50 USD) concessions (students, seniors, unwaged).
  • Multi-Screening Passes: Estimated ~£30–£50 GBP (~$37.50–$62.50 USD), based on prior years.
• Notes:
  • 2025 pricing TBD; 2024 rates used as reference.
  • PWYC enhances affordability; book early for gala screenings.
  • Free events (e.g., talks, VR demos) may require registration.
  • Concessions require a valid ID at box offices.
  • Monitor belfastfilmfestival.org for confirmed pricing by October 2025.

Cultural Significance

The Belfast Film Festival is a cultural cornerstone in Northern Ireland, celebrating 30 years in 2025. It bridges local and global cinema, showcasing Northern Irish talent through the Irish Shorts Competition and NI Independents strand while bringing international films from Ukraine to South Korea. The festival’s innovative approach, including site-specific screenings at Ulster Museum and VR experiences via Belfast XR, redefines film as an immersive art form. Its PWYC model ensures accessibility, fostering inclusivity and engaging diverse audiences. By highlighting emerging filmmakers and cultural narratives, it strengthens Belfast’s reputation as a vibrant creative hub.

Food & Drinks

• Festival Venues: Bars at Queen’s Film Theatre and The Black Box serve local craft beers (e.g., Hilden Brewery, ~$5–$7 USD), wines, and non-alcoholic drinks. Snacks like popcorn and sandwiches (~$3–$6 USD) are available.
• Nearby Dining:
  • Maggie Mays: 50 Botanic Avenue, Belfast, BT7 1JR (5-minute walk from Queen’s Film Theatre, Irish comfort food, $10–$20 USD).
  • The Chubby Cherub: 49A Upper Arthur Street, Belfast, BT1 4GJ (Italian, $15–$25 USD, near Odeon).
  • Voodoo Belfast: 9–11 Fountain Street, Belfast, BT1 5EA (vegan options, $10–$20 USD, near The Black Box).
• Street Food: Pop-up stalls near Waterfront Hall offer global cuisines (e.g., tacos, falafel, ~$8–$12 USD).
• Alcohol Policy: Drinks at venue bars; no outside alcohol in cinemas.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Select screenings (e.g., shorts, animations) are suitable for children; check belfastfilmfestival.org for age ratings.
  • Family events at Ulster Museum may include free VR demos or workshops.
  • Under-16s require adult supervision for evening screenings.
• Accessibility:
  • Queen’s Film Theatre, Odeon, and Waterfront Hall are wheelchair-accessible with ramps and elevators.
  • Strand Arts Centre and The Black Box have partial access; contact moyra@belfastfilmfestival.org for accommodations.
  • Audio descriptions and subtitles available for select screenings; check website for details.
  • PWYC model supports financial accessibility for low-income attendees.

Getting There

• By Air: Belfast International Airport (BFS, 30 km, 30-minute drive) or George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD, 5 km, 10-minute drive).
• Public Transport:
  • Bus: Translink Metro routes 8, 9 to Belfast city centre (Botanic Avenue or Victoria Square, 5-minute walk to Queen’s Film Theatre).
  • Train: Belfast Lanyon Place Station (5-minute walk to Waterfront Hall) via Translink NI Railways.
  • Belfast Bikes: Stations near Queen’s Film Theatre and Donegall Street; use belfastbikes.co.uk.
• By Car: Parking at Victoria Square (near Odeon, ~£2/hour, $2.50 USD) or Q-Park Donegall Quay (near Waterfront Hall, ~£2.50/hour, $3.13 USD).
• Rideshare: Uber or Value Cabs from BFS (~$30–$40 USD) or BHD (~$10–$15 USD).

Program Details (Based on 2024, Expected 2025 Similarities)

• 2025 Program: Full lineup announced by September 26, 2025, via belfastfilmfestival.org. Expect 50–70 screenings, including:
  • Irish Shorts Competition: Fiction shorts (≤20 minutes) made in Ireland or by Irish writers/directors, completed September 2024–August 2025.
  • NI Independents: Feature and medium-length films (≥30 minutes) from Northern Ireland.
  • International Competition: Films from Ukraine, South Korea, and beyond, showcasing global narratives.
  • Belfast XR Festival: VR and immersive content at Beanbag Cinema or pop-up venues.
  • Classic Screenings: Restored films or retrospectives at Ulster Museum.
• Sample 2024 Highlights (indicative for 2025):
  • Best Before (2024, screened at Strand Arts Centre, NI Independent).
  • International shorts like The Last Ranger (Ukraine, 2024).
  • Gala screenings at Waterfront Hall, ~$15 USD.
• Note: Films must not be publicly screened in Northern Ireland or online; submissions via FilmFreeway (deadlines: July 11, August 1, 2025).

Past Notable Performances

• Irish Shorts: An Irish Goodbye (2022, Oscar winner), The Last Hotel (2023).
• NI Independents: Kneecap (2024, feature film).
• International: Parasite (South Korea, 2019 retrospective), Shoah (2023, restored classic).
• Belfast XR: Immersive VR experiences like Goliath: Playing with Reality (2023).
  These reflect the festival’s commitment to diverse, impactful cinema.

Educational Impact

• Workshops: Filmmaking and VR workshops at The Black Box or Ulster Museum, ~$10–$20 USD, for aspiring filmmakers.
• Panels: Free talks with filmmakers at Queen’s Film Theatre, discussing industry trends.
• School Outreach: Screenings and Q&As for Belfast schools, promoting film literacy.
• Belfast XR: Free VR demos to educate on immersive technology, open to all ages.

Cultural Activities

• Film Talks: Free Q&As with directors at Queen’s Film Theatre or The Black Box, post-screening.
• VR Experiences: Belfast XR demos at Beanbag Cinema, free or PWYC, September 25–October 5.
• Art Exhibits: Moving image installations at Ulster Museum, free entry.
• Street Events: Pop-up screenings or busking near Donegall Street, free, during festival weekends.
• Networking Events: Industry mixers at Waterfront Hall, ~$12.50 USD, for filmmakers and attendees.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Gala tickets and accommodations sell out; reserve via belfastfilmfestival.org or booking.com by September 2025.
• Weather Prep: November in Belfast (45–55°F) is cold and rainy; pack layers and waterproofs.
• Explore Locally: Visit Titanic Belfast (1 Olympic Way, 10-minute drive) or Botanic Gardens (near Ulster Museum).
• Public Transport: Use Translink Glider or Metro; buy a Smartlink card (~$12 USD) for multi-trip savings.
• Festival App: Check belfastfilmfestival.org for digital schedules (no dedicated app).

Local Attractions

• Titanic Belfast: 1 Olympic Way, Belfast, BT3 9EP (10-minute drive, $25 USD entry).
• Botanic Gardens: College Park East, Belfast, BT7 1LP (5-minute walk from Ulster Museum, free).
• St. George’s Market: 12–20 East Bridge Street, Belfast, BT1 3NQ (10-minute walk, food and crafts).
• Belfast Cathedral Quarter: Near The Black Box, a vibrant arts hub with pubs and galleries.
• Crumlin Road Gaol: 53–55 Crumlin Road, Belfast, BT14 6ST (15-minute drive, $15 USD tours).

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • The Merchant Hotel: 16 Skipper Street, Belfast, BT1 2DZ ($150–$300 USD/night).
  • Europa Hotel: Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7AP ($100–$200 USD/night).
• Hostels: Belfast International Youth Hostel (22–32 Donegall Road, BT12 5JN, $20–$50 USD/night).
• Airbnb: Apartments in Cathedral Quarter or Botanic ($60–$150 USD/night).
• Booking Tip: Reserve via booking.com or airbnb.com 3–6 months in advance for the November peak season.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at Queen’s Film Theatre and Waterfront Hall; nearest hospital is Royal Victoria Hospital (274 Grosvenor Road, Belfast, BT12 6BA, 10-minute drive).
• Security: Bag checks at Odeon and Waterfront Hall; safe crowd management in venues.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; optional masks for indoor screenings.
• Weather Preparedness: Indoor venues ensure continuity; bring umbrellas for outdoor transitions.