New Patron For Belfast Film Festival

The programme for the 8th Jameson Belfast Film Festival has been announced, along with the news that Oscar-nominated director Terry George is the new patron of the festival.

Belfast-born Terry received an Oscar nod for his screenplay for 2004's critically acclaimed Hotel Rwanda, on which he also took directing duties.

Speaking about his appointment, Terry said: "The Belfast Film Festival has gone from strength to strength over the past seven 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."

The opening night of the festival will feature the Irish premier of Terry's new film, Reservation Road, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Jennifer Connolly, Mark Ruffalo and Mira Sorvino. The director will also be on hand to introduce the movie, and hopes to bring along some of the cast.

Taking place in venues across the city between 10-19 April, the festival's programme looks better than ever - a wonderful mix of premiers, leftfield musical experiences, special events and interesting guests, not to mention the usual sprinkling of obscure, niche delights placed snugly beside the more mainstream attractions.

Highlights include the always-impressive World Cinema line-up, the Maysles Brothers Documentary Competition and the Talking Film section – in which a whole slew of world-class directors, writers and film specialists will be on hand for seminars and Q&A sessions with the audience.

As always, the excellent World Cinema programme will whet the appetite of black polo neck-wearing film buffs everywhere, with selections from all four corners of the globe being served up. The Turner Classic Movie events feature Blade Runner Final Cut and a celebration of the work of James Stewart, including a special screening of Rear Window.

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."

As ever, for sheer quirky-cool entertainment, the Special Events programme takes some beating. Standout gems include Nicko And Joe's Bad Film Comedy Club, in which the duo will provide a live commentary for the gloriously terrible Jaws 4, a drive-in showing of 80's teen classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Celluloid Cuisine – a chance to enjoy a 3-course meal interspersed with classic culinary clips from famous films.

The festival comes to a close on 19 April with another premier, the Heather Graham-starring Buy, Borrow, Steal, which was partially shot in Belfast.

Events will take place in QFT, The Baby Grand, Storm Cinemas, Culturlann, The Strand, John Hewitt, La Boca Restaurant, Waterfront Studio, Black Box, Titanic Quarter Paint Hall and the Lagan Boat.

Tickets for the festival are available at www.belfastfilmfestival.org or by calling the festival box office on 028 9033 0443.

(NS)