Belfast named “City of Film”

Belfast, City of Film

Belfast, City of Film

Belfast has emerged as a global leader in film and television production, earning prestigious recognition at the Global Production Awards during the Cannes Film Festival. In a remarkable double victory, Northern Ireland Screen received the Special Recognition Award while Belfast was crowned Best City of Film, beating fierce competition from major international hubs including New York City, Gold Coast, Sydney, and Zagreb.

The judges were particularly impressed by Belfast’s clear vision for leveraging film success to create broader economic growth. The city’s strategic approach encompasses not just attracting productions, but building lasting economic benefits through skills development, infrastructure investment, and tourism integration. This holistic view has positioned Belfast as more than just a filming location—it’s become a comprehensive creative hub.

The Global Production Awards, held during Cannes with over 270 industry executives in attendance, celebrate outstanding sustainable work and highlight the best global locations. Belfast’s victory in this international arena signals a shift in how the industry values comprehensive, sustainable approaches to film production.

As the global production landscape continues to evolve, Belfast’s success story offers a compelling blueprint for other cities seeking to develop their screen industries. By combining economic strategy with cultural preservation, environmental responsibility with commercial success, and local talent development with international appeal, Belfast has demonstrated that sustainable film production isn’t just possible—it’s profitable.

This recognition from Cannes affirms that the future of film production lies not just in spectacular locations or tax incentives, but in creating comprehensive ecosystems that support creative excellence, economic impact, and environmental responsibility. Belfast has shown the way forward, and the global film industry is taking notice.

Liam Neeson, bringing his particular set of skills to comedy! 🤣 

Get ready to see the Irish legend like never before in the new NAKED GUN, hitting theaters August 1st. 

He's nervous, Pamela Anderson's "madly in love" with him, and we're just here for the laughs!

New trailer at irishfilmtv.com.

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🌟 Ruth Negga doesn't just act – she transforms. 

From her Emmy-worthy intensity in PRESUMED INNOCENT to her Golden Globe-nominated brilliance in PASSING, this Irish powerhouse continues to redefine what it means to inhabit a character completely.

Watch IN PROCESSS for Negga's take on craft and the pursuit of creation!

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Irish legend Sharon Horgan of BAD SISTERS fame recently sat down with the incredible Tommy Tiernan on The Tommy Tiernan Show! ✨ 

Horgan opened up about navigating the entertainment industry as a woman and finding that work-life balance.

Watch now at irishfilmtv.com.

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🎬 Domhnall Gleeson brings serious talent to Guy Ritchie's globe-trotting adventure FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH! 

From STAR WARS galaxies to treasure hunting expeditions, this Irish powerhouse continues to prove his incredible range. His mysterious billionaire character keeps you guessing until the very last frame ✨

Now streaming!

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📢 #u2 frontman Bono and Zane Lowe just dropped a conversation that goes WAY beyond your average interview.

We're talking deep dives into the soul of #SONGSOFSURRENDER, artistic vulnerability, and why even U2's most iconic tracks needed a fresh look.

Watch now at irishfilmtv.com.

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Pat O'Connor's masterpiece CAL is back in Irish theatres Jun 13.

Helen Mirren's Cannes-winning performance still hits different! This Northern Irish masterpiece proves that the most powerful love stories are built on impossible foundations.

More at irishfilmtv.com.

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🎬 Jamie Dornan is serving DOUBLE TROUBLE in Netflix's upcoming thriller THE UNDERTOW! 

From BELFAST to THE TOURIST and now this psychological masterpiece, Dornan continues to prove he's one of Ireland's most versatile talents. One twin, one woman, one terrible secret... and we're already obsessed! Coming 2025 and we simply cannot wait! 🔥

More via link in bio.

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🎬 Jim Sheridan is BACK and he's not playing it safe!

The Oscar-nominated legend behind MY LEFT FOOT just dropped RE-CREATION at Tribeca - a bold courtroom drama that dares to ask: what if Ireland's most controversial cold case actually went to trial?

More via link in bio.

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🎬 Domhnall Gleeson is absolutely ace in ECHO VALLEY! 

Fresh off Guy Ritchie's FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, this Irish powerhouse delivers another knockout performance as the menacing drug dealer Jackie Lawson.

Catch ECHO VALLEY in theaters now or stream on Apple TV+ June 13th 📺

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🎬 When your childhood dreams collide with iconic music history ✨

Saoirse Ronan just delivered a masterclass performance in the FIRST-EVER music video for Talking Heads' PSYCHO KILLER - directed by the legendary Mike Mills!

From Oscar nominations to dancing through office life cycles, our Irish queen continues to prove there's no creative boundary she won't cross. 

Watch now at irishfilmtv.com.

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🎬 BELFAST named "City of Film" 🎬

@ni_screen claims a double victory at the Global Production Awards, beating NYC, Sydney & Zagreb in the process! 🌍

The future of film is green, local, and absolutely brilliant! 💚 More via link in bio!

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🎬 From Gotham's darkest villain to romantic lead - Colin Farrell is stepping from shadow to light! 

After three hours daily in prosthetics as THE PENGUIN, our Irish legend is trading trauma for tenderness in A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY with Margot Robbie. Sometimes the best transformations happen when you choose healing over harm. ✨

More at link in bio!

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🐧 Two legends, one iconic villain! 

Danny DeVito and Colin Farrell bonding over their shared Penguin experiences - from 3+ hours in the makeup chair to disappearing completely under prosthetics.

DeVito's Oswald Cobblepot in BATMAN RETURNS vs Farrell's Oz Cobb in THE BATMAN and THE PENGUIN series - 30 years apart but connected by the beautiful torture of total transformation.

More via link in bio!

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Andrew Scott just landed a role in WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY alongside Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc.

Fresh off his chilling turn as Tom RIPLEY on Netflix, Scott continues his career renaissance with this December 2025 mystery. 

Between FLEABAG, RIPLEY, ALL OF US STRANGERS, and now joining Rian Johnson's beloved franchise - this man can do no wrong! 🎭

More via link in bio!

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🍀 Colin Farrell's voice takes us on an epic journey through Irish history!

From ancient DNA reconstructions to forgotten explorers who sailed with Columbus, FROM THAT SMALL ISLAND - THE STORY OF THE IRISH is about to blow your mind 🤯

Premiering June 8th on RTÉ ✨

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Irish Film

BELFAST now on Netflix

Belfast

Kenneth Branagh‘s award-wining film, BELFAST, can now be streamed on Netflix. A poignant coming-of-age film set in the turbulent backdrop of 1960s Northern Ireland, BELFAST follows the story of a young boy named Buddy as he navigates the complexities of family, love, and sectarian strife. Against the backdrop of escalating violence, Buddy’s childhood innocence is both a refuge and a vulnerability. Director Kenneth Branagh beautifully captures the essence of community, resilience, and the enduring power of hope in the face of adversity with incredible performances by Jamie Dornan, Caitriona Balfe and Ciaran Hinds.

Watch Now

Ciaran Hinds on The Troubles

Ciaran Hinds

Oscar-nominated BELFAST actor Ciaran Hinds has said he was lucky to avoid the violence of the Troubles and admitted he could have got involved in a “bad way”. Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s podcast Red Lines, the actor, who has starred in films such as THERE WILL BE BLOOD, MUNICH and the final HARRY POTTER entry and comes from a middle class Catholic background, said he was living in Belfast at the time when violence broke out. Born to a GP father and a mother who was a teacher, Hinds, who was involved in Irish dancing until he was 19, said when the Troubles broke out, he was aware of people joining the IRA.

Podcast Link

Irish Film

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Branagh in A HAUNTING IN VENICE

Kenneth Branagh

Belfast-born Kenneth Branagh’s follow-up to MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS and DEATH ON THE NILE opens in cinemas September 15. A fresh trailer has been unveiled for A HAUNTING IN VENICE, revealing the eeriness that awaits audiences this fall and features Kenneth Branagh, Jamie Dornan and Jude Hill of BELFAST. The film is set in post-World War II Venice where Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a séance. 

Watch Trailer

BELFAST stars to re-unite

Stars of 2021’s hit film BELFAST are reuniting on the big screen for an adaptation of Agatha Christie novel A HAUNTING IN VENICE. Kenneth Branagh is reprising his role as Hercule Poirot for his third outing, with Jamie Dornan and Jude Hill, both of whom were in Belfast, also joining the cast for the murder mystery. Branagh is also returning to the director’s chair, with other cast members including Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh and Kelly Reilly.

Read More

Irish Film

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Laura Donnelly in WEREWOLF BY NIGHT

A Belfast-born actress who stars in the HBO science fiction drama THE NEVERS has revealed she would love to return to the city’s Lyric Theatre. Laura Donnelly was speaking ahead of the release of WEREWOLF BY NIGHT, a TV special based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name and the first Marvel Halloween special on Disney+.

Learn More

Irish Television

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Roisin Gallagher to star in THE LOVERS

A darkly comic romantic drama about a love-struck odd couple begins filming in Belfast at the end of this month. THE LOVERS, an original new drama for Sky, was written by David Ireland and stars local actors Roisin Gallagher and Conleth Hill, and South African-born musician and actor Johnny Flynn.

Read More

Irish Television

Kenneth Branagh’s BELFAST Oscar

Branagh wins Best Original Screenplay! Thirty-two years after receiving his very first Academy Award nominations for 1989’s HENRY V, actor-director Kenneth Branagh has officially won his first Oscar. Branagh took home Best Original Screenplay for his latest film, BELFAST, during yesterday’s Oscars ceremony. Branagh wrote and directed the semi-autobiographical Belfast, which stars Jamie Dornan, Caitriona Balfe, and the young Jude Hill. The film follows a working-class family and the son’s childhood during the late 1960s in the Northern Ireland capital. 

Learn More