The 24th edition of the Belfast Film Festival is set to kick off from 31st October to 9th November, beginning with a special Halloween screening of the Irish horror film Fréwaka, written and directed by Aislinn Clarke.
Funded by Northern Ireland Screen, Belfast City Council, the Department for Communities, and Film Hub NI, the festival is proudly sponsored by Yellowmoon, Birra Moretti, and Hastings Hotels.
Fréwaka, which received positive reviews at its world premiere in Switzerland, will have its Irish premiere at Cineworld in Belfast on the evening of Thursday 31st October. The film follows the story of home care worker Shoo (Clare Monnelly) who is sent to care for an agoraphobic woman (Bríd Ní Neachtain) in a remote village. As the two bond, Shoo becomes entangled in the woman’s fears of sinister entities known as Na Sídhe.
Director Aislinn Clarke describes Fréwaka as a unique and terrifying horror film that draws inspiration from both recent and ancient fears in society. The film is the second horror feature from Clarke, following the success of The Devil’s Doorway in 2018. Featuring an all-female cast, including Clare Monnelly and Bríd Ní Neachtain, Fréwaka promises to deliver a cinematic experience to audiences.
Producer Dermot Lavery from DoubleBand Films expressed excitement about presenting Fréwaka to the Belfast audience, while Patrick O’Neill of Wildcard added that it is an honor for the film to have its Irish premiere at the Belfast Film Festival.
Belfast Film Festival Programmer Rose Baker shared her enthusiasm for opening the festival with Aislinn Clarke’s latest work, highlighting the talent and diversity showcased in this year’s lineup. The festival aims to celebrate Irish cinema, with a mix of local and international films for audiences to enjoy.
Tickets for Fréwaka will be available for purchase starting from 28th September, with the full festival program set to be announced on 3rd October. For more information and tickets, visit the Belfast Film Festival website. Get ready for a thrilling cinematic experience at this year’s festival!