QFT50 goes on tour in partnership with Libraries NI

This landmark exhibition, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is the culmination of a year-long AHRC-funded research project undertaken by Queen’s University film scholar Dr Sam Manning.

Starting in Strabane Library on Monday 17 June, the exhibition will travel to Antrim and Lurgan before finishing in Warrenpoint Library.

Using a range of storytelling techniques and resources including first-hand testimony from cinemagoers, staff, and filmmakers, photography and archival material, Manning delves into the cinema’s unique story.

The exhibition shows how QFT has repeatedly risen to social, cultural and political challenges such as the Troubles, declining cinema audiences, the rise of the multiplexes and changing cinema technology to continue to be Northern Ireland’s leading cultural cinema.

The exhibition raises the following questions: How have audiences changed in the past fifty years, and which films have they enjoyed? How has the building altered, including the relocation of the cinema’s entrance from a rear alleyway to its current site? How important has QFT been to the social and cultural life of Belfast and Northern Ireland?

“QFT holds a special place in the memories of many in Northern Ireland and it is fantastic that this tour will enable the history of our cinema to reach people through Libraries NI.”– Joan Parsons, Head of QFT.

Kirsty McClelland, Senior Good Relations Manager Libraries NI said;  

“Libraries NI is delighted to be working with QFT to help celebrate their 50th Anniversary. It is great to have the opportunity to help expand public access to the exhibition, with its unique historical snapshot, and host accompanying talks from Dr Sam Manning in branch library locations throughout July and August”.

The QFT50 exhibition was made possible with the generous support of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Dates for the display at each library are: