Belfast Media Festival (BMF) is set to generate an additional income of £35,000 for Belfast this November, research from its organisers has shown. The research also indicated that 40% of delegates and speakers travel from outside Northern Ireland to attend, and the influx of out-of-state delegates is estimated to create up to 300 hotel bed nights, translating into significant benefits for Belfast’s hospitality and accommodation sectors. The growth of the festival and its attendee numbers highlights Belfast’s status as a must-attend destination for the global screen industry.
The festival, which is in its 16th year, will for the first time span across 3-days which is reflective of the continued growth of the event. There will be a mix of headline speakers, panel sessions and interactive workshops. All events are free and highlights this year include, Banijay UK’s Executive Chairman Patrick Holland, the teams behind BAFTA award-winning series, Blue Lights, Channel 4 TV series, Trespasses (which is based on Holywood native, Louise Kennedy’s breakout debut novel) and TG4’s Irish language sensation, Crá and many more. There will also be a special episode of ‘Insiders: The TV Podcast’ hosted by Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville recorded live from BMF.
Speaking about the impact of the Festival, Chair of Belfast Media Festival, Jennifer Johnston commented: “BMF acts as a significant draw for media professionals and organisations, providing an opportunity to showcase Belfast as a hub for media and creative industries. By covering multiple forms of media, from television and film to games and immersive experiences, BMF demonstrates the diversity and creativity of Northern Ireland’s screen sector”
She continues, “Many of the businesses and independent production companies attending the festival are looking to physically develop or expand their existing businesses or portfolios. Gaining access to commissioners, gate keepers and decision makers from across the media landscape is fundamental to that success. The festival plays a key role in enabling direct engagement between investors, local businesses and funding representatives.”
Belfast Media Festival will take place from 11-13th November in The MAC Belfast, and is supported by Channel 4, Northern Ireland Screen and BBC Northern Ireland. Registrations are available via: belfastmediafestival.co.uk. Please follow Belfast Media Festival on Instagram and LinkedIn to hear the latest updates.