05/03/2008

Terry George’s Reservation Road will open the 8th Jameson Belfast Film Festival (April 10-19) while Eric Styles’ Buy, Borrow, Steal will be the closing film. Belfast-born George was also announced as the festival’s new Patron.

George said, “The festival has gone from strength to strength over the past 7 years and I am honoured to be part of this next phase of development. I am looking forward to working with the festival to build upon the international recognition it has gained to date.”

George, who is best known for Hotel Rwanda [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Don Cheadle
interview: Terry George
film profile], will be present with cast members to introduce the film. He will also hold a screenwriting and directing masterclass.

London-set comedy Buy, Borrow, Steal, featuring Heather Graham, was shot partially in Belfast with the participation of local cast and crew.

Other local talent on display includes Joel Conroy’s Dublin winner Wave Riders, Alison Millar’s IFTA winner At Home With the Cleary’s and Macdara Vallely’s Peacefire, featuring local actor John Travers and shot on location in Craigavon.

In addition, well known Belfast documentary filmmaker Gearoid Ó Cairealláin’s new film Tomás Ó Fiaich: The Controversial Cardinal will premiere in Culturlann, as will Dambe: The Mali Project, which follows Hothouse Flowers front-man Liam O’Maonlai and Uillean piper Paddy Keenan as they travel around music events in Mali.

Festival programmer Michael Besnard Scott said: “The pleasure of programming this festival in Belfast and hopefully in attending comes from the concentration and diversity of the work on offer, from the widely promoted and hugely anticipated to hidden gems tucked away throughout the programme, every film in the festival has fought hard for its place.”