Days Out NI
Film & TV Location Belfast

Queen's Film Theatre

Belfast's indie cinema — two screens of festival, foreign-language and director-led film.

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2-3 hoursHow long
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Queen's Film Theatre — Belfast's indie cinema — two screens of festival, foreign-language and director-led film.

  • Filmed here: Nothing was filmed here — QFT is the cinema that screened The Banshees of Inisherin during awards season and hosts NI screen-talent Q+As.
  • Getting to the spot: 20 University Square; 5-minute walk from Botanic train station; Metro buses stop on Botanic Avenue and University Road.
  • Facilities: Two screens (204 and 91 seats), box office, bar; cash-free, card only.
  • Cost: Paid — buy a ticket per screening; prices vary by film and concession.
  • Dogs: Assistance dogs only.
  • Safety: Indoor cinema, no outdoor hazards.
Plan your visit

The screen connection: arthouse home for award films

QFT is where Belfast watches the films that win awards rather than where they are shot. It screened The Banshees of Inisherin during its awards run, the Martin McDonagh tragicomedy with Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson that drew nine Oscar nominations. The cinema is a regular host for the Belfast Film Festival, CineMagic and the Belfast International Arts Festival, and it runs Q+A nights with Northern Ireland screen talent. So the connection is curation and events, not a set you can stand in front of.

Ticketed cinema Two screens Banshees of Inisherin screenings Q+A nights Free parking after 4.30pm Near Botanic station
Good to know before you go:

QFT runs a busy programme of festivals, special screenings and Q+A nights with NI screen talent across the year, and hosts strands of the Belfast Film Festival and CineMagic. Dates and titles change constantly, so check current listings before you go.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 📸A camera or phoneThis is a photo stop first and foremost — line up the shot from the show.
  • 👟Comfy shoesMost spots need a short walk to reach the exact scene.
  • 💷A few poundsFor parking or entry where there’s a charge.
  • 📺The scene in mindHalf the fun is standing right where your favourite moment was filmed.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Paid — buy a ticket per screening; prices vary by film and concession
What was filmed here
Nothing was filmed here — QFT is the cinema that screened The Banshees of Inisherin during awards season and hosts NI screen-talent Q+As
Parking
Limited on weekday daytimes; free along University Square and at the McClay Library car park from 4.30pm weekdays and all day weekends
Getting to the spot
20 University Square; 5-minute walk from Botanic train station; Metro buses stop on Botanic Avenue and University Road
Facilities
Two screens (204 and 91 seats), box office, bar; cash-free, card only
Best for
Film-loving teens and adults; check the programme for younger kids as much of it is arthouse and subtitled
Safety
Indoor cinema, no outdoor hazards
Dogs
Assistance dogs only
How long to allow
About 2-3 hours for a film and a drink in the bar
Address
Queen's Film Theatre, 20 University Square, Belfast BT7 1PA
Questions

Before you go

What was filmed here?
Nothing was filmed here — QFT is the cinema that screened The Banshees of Inisherin during awards season and hosts NI screen-talent Q+As
How much does it cost to visit?
Paid — buy a ticket per screening; prices vary by film and concession
Is it good for kids?
Film-loving teens and adults; check the programme for younger kids as much of it is arthouse and subtitled
Where do I park?
Limited on weekday daytimes; free along University Square and at the McClay Library car park from 4.30pm weekdays and all day weekends
Anything to watch out for?
Indoor cinema, no outdoor hazards
Getting there

Queen's Film Theatre is at Queen's Film Theatre, 20 University Square, Belfast BT7 1PA. 20 University Square; 5-minute walk from Botanic train station; Metro buses stop on Botanic Avenue and University Road. Tap below for directions.

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Nearby

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The story

About the location

Queen's Film Theatre opened on 16 October 1968 with a screening of Viva Maria, starting life as a single 250-seat venue dedicated to arthouse, indie and world cinema. It has been part of the cultural life of Belfast ever since and is run by Queen's University as part of its Culture and Arts Unit.

Today it has two screens seating 204 and 91, and shares its building with the Brian Friel Theatre, which opened in 2009. It hosts the Belfast Film Festival, CineMagic and the Belfast International Arts Festival, and screened The Banshees of Inisherin during the 2022-23 awards season when the film picked up nine Oscar nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director.