"Belfast" Nabs 7 Academy Award Nominations, Featuring Judi Dench


Focus Features presents "Belfast," a deeply personal, humorous, and heartwarming coming-of-age story written and directed by Academy Award nominee Kenneth Branagh. The film centers on a young boy and his working-class family navigating life in Belfast during the tumultuous 1960s.

The narrative of "Belfast" draws directly from Kenneth Branagh's own experiences, following a nine-year-old boy who must bravely forge his path to adulthood in a world that has suddenly transformed. His once stable and peaceful neighborhood, where residents lived in mutual support, is irrevocably altered overnight. Yet, the film retains its charm through joy, laughter, music, and the protagonist's journey of growth.

The film boasts a strong ensemble cast, including Golden Globe nominee Caitríona Balfe, Academy Award winner Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds, and introduces 10-year-old Jude Hill. Jamie Dornan and Caitríona Balfe portray a passionate working-class couple who suddenly find their home plunged into chaos. Ciarán Hinds and Judi Dench play the family's bickering grandparents. The film's producers include Kenneth Branagh, Laura Berwick, Becca Kovacik, and Tamar Thomas.

Behind the scenes, the crew includes many of director Kenneth Branagh's frequent collaborators: Production Designer Jim Clay, Director of Photography Haris Zambarloukos, Hair and Makeup Designer Romaine Giraud, Editor Úna Ní Dhonghaíle, and Casting Directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann. The film's score was crafted by Belfast-born legendary musician Van Morrison.

Distributed by Universal Pictures, Limited Release on March 11