Free to register and available for 2 weeks to view 

Kenneth Branagh talks about his optimism for the future of the Northern Ireland creative industries, the necessity for the arts at this time, his latest films Death On The Nile and Belfast, as well as giving practical advice to young people starting out in their careers, in a special interview to mark the 11^th Belfast Media Festival (BMF) this Thursday (12^th November).

It will be available to view from this Thursday (12^th November) at 12.30pm free of charge for those who register for BMF via its website www.belfastmediafestival.co.uk.

BMF in conversation with Kenneth Branagh is sponsored by Future Screens NI and was produced and directed by Frank Delaney, Queens University Belfast (QUB), with technical support from QUB students Ryan Elliman and Sam Robinson and staff Craig Jackson, Glenn Gallagher and Ben Brown, presented by Kathy Clugston and colour graded by Yellow Moon.

Branagh discusses his new films, ‘Belfast’ and ‘Death On The Nile’ and he highlights the importance of humility, diversity, inclusivity and working collaboratively in the creative industries. Talking about the future given the current global difficulties due to Covid 19, he says: “I’m by nature an optimist, people need stories, we need to know we are not alone. We have to share our experience with others in fictional forms across the medium we are all lucky enough to work in. What’s been available for people to watch on their screens at home during lockdown has been invaluable, has been a life saver for many people, it has certainly diverted, and entertained. These are incredibly important things at moments of understandable stress. I feel for everybody in our business who has been having a rough time across this lockdown period and I wish them good work in the coming months and years.”

Kenneth answers questions put forward by students from Queens and Ulster Universities with some advice for those starting out that “imagination and hard work will always yield opportunities”.

Helen Thompson, producer, Belfast Media Festival says: “We are incredibly grateful to Kenneth Branagh for giving us his time for what is both an uplifting and inspirational interview, so perfect to represent our virtual festival at this strange time. Here’s to BMF 2021 when we hope to put in place an exciting two-day event at the Mac once again.”

The Belfast Media Festival is grateful to the support of its partners BBC Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen who help to ensure the event remains free for attendees.

To watch this unique 11^th Belfast Media Festival go to www.belfastmediafestival.co.uk.