Influential adminstrator retires from Queens Film Theatre

Some 35 years after he took up the post of Administrator at Queen’s Film Theatre in Belfast, the final credits are set to roll for Michael Open.

Michael, who arrived in Belfast six months after the QFT opened in March 1969, is to retire at the end of this month.

Having started out as an 'ill-equipped lecture theatre', Michael ensured its success with his extensive knowledge of the film industry and passion for cinema. His commitment to the QFT became well-known and his interest in cinema led to his publication in 1984 of 'Fading Lights, Silver Screens', a history of Belfast cinemas.

Queen’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Gerry McCormac said: "QFT has helped Queen’s deliver a number of its key aims, not least by making a significant contribution to the cultural life of the region. Michael’s passionate advocacy for film as an art form has opened new horizons for QFT’s patrons.

"To mark his farewell Michael will present a season of films that exemplify what he has brought to QFT during November and early December."

Michael added: “I hope that those who saw the films that I presented will have had their lives enhanced by the wonders that the art of the cinema alone can bring."

The QFT is now Belfast's second oldest cinema out of a total of 6 venues, compared with 29 when it started out and has benefited from major capital investments in recent years. These have facilitated the introduction of a bar facility in 2002 and a new Centre for Drama and Film Studies due to open this autumn.

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