Belfast – a city, a film…and an Oscar.
Sponsored by Queens University Belfast
Location: The Factory
Time: Wednesday 16th November, 11am
Richard Williams (Northern Ireland Screen)
Joan Parsons (Head of QFT),
Andy Wilson (Line Producer: Belfast Unit)
Chair: Hugh Odling Smee - ( Film Hub NI)
The 2022 Oscar for Best Original Screenplay went to Kenneth Branagh, for the film named after the city he grew up in until he was 9. This city was Belfast - a complex and troubled place, but with strong community and family values. The film was a global hit, drew audiences back to the cinema during the pandemic and took in over $49million at the box office worldwide.
This session will look at the film from a number of angles as we discuss the production process (filming took place during the Covid pandemic), the rise of the feature film industry in Northern Ireland, and how cinema audiences connect with local film.
Joan Parsons
Head of QFT
Joan Parsons is an experienced cinema professional currently leading the Queen’s Film Theatre, Northern Ireland’s only full-time cultural cinema.
As the current guardian of QFT Joan has delivered organisational, financial and cultural change and successes. Joan relishes the challenges of the cinema industry and bringing incredible films from around the world to audiences
Andy Wilson
Line Producer: Belfast Unit, Belfast
Andrew has worked in Film and TV since 1998 and his career has seen him work with industry names such as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tom Hanks, James Gray, Alan Parker, Joel Schumacher. His specialty is in physical production where he has worked as Producer, Production Manager and Location Manager on a wide range of productions.
Having worked on over 40 feature film and TV projects, his production knowledge and experience are extensive.
Richard Williams
Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Screen
Richard is Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen which has, in the last 12 years, taken the lead role in developing the screen industry in Northern Ireland.
Under Richard’s leadership, Northern Ireland Screen developed the Paint Hall at Titanic Quarter as a film studio which was the home of HBO’s GAME OF THRONES for eight seasons. And more recently partnered with Belfast Harbour Commission in the development of Belfast Harbour Studios, a new purpose-built studio complex.
During his time, Northern Ireland Screen has expanded its support to cover large-scale production, TV drama, independent film, factual/entertainment, animation and interactive content, including the development and production of many independent films, all genres of television and a growing number of digital content projects, including HUNGER for which Steve McQueen won the Camera D’Or, Terry and Oorlagh George’s Oscar winner THE SHORE, Michael Lennox’s BAFTA winner and Oscar nominated BOOGALOO AND GRAHAM and the multi-award winning DERRY GIRLS.
Hugh Odling Smee
Manager, Film Hub NI
Currently Manager of Film Hub NI, part of the BFI Film Audience Network based at the Queen’s Film Theatre, Hugh Odling-Smee has over 20 years’ experience working in Belfast's arts and heritage sectors for organisations as diverse as the Linen Hall Library, Kabosh Theatre Company, Belfast Book Festival and Belfast Festival at Queen's.
