Channel 4 has been announced as a headline sponsor for Belfast Media Festival (BMF), joining Northern Ireland Screen and BBC Northern Ireland.  The sponsorship announcement coincides with the opening of registrations for the much-celebrated television and film industry event, which is scheduled for 11th-13th November in The MAC, Belfast.

The festival, which is in its 16th year, will for the first time span across 3 days with a mix of headline speakers, panel sessions and interactive workshops.  All events are free and highlights this year include Banijay UK’s Executive Chairman Patrick Holland, the teams behind BAFTA award-winning series, Blue Lights, Channel 4 TV series, Trespasses (which is based on Holywood native, Louise Kennedy’s breakout debut novel) and TG4’s Irish language sensation, Crá and many more.  There will also be a special episode of ‘Insiders: The TV Podcast’ hosted by Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville, recorded live from BMF.

Speaking about the new partnership with Channel 4 and this year’s event, Jennifer Johnston, Chair of Belfast Media Festival, commented:

“Channel 4 has a long-established role as an innovator in the TV and film industry, and its commitment to change and challenge in the creative industries is something that we echo at BMF. Our theme this year is ‘Future in Frame’, which highlights our focus on looking ahead and considers how we can frame the future and move forward as an industry. This partnership brings a new energy and opportunity to BMF, and aligns seamlessly with our existing connections with Northern Ireland Screen and BBC Northern Ireland.”

Commenting on this year’s programme, she said:

“We are proud to be a cross-genre festival that caters for those working in television, animation, film, games, immersive experiences and podcasts. BMF 2025 will bring together the talent behind hugely successful productions as they share insights, identify trends and discuss issues facing the industry today. We are thrilled to open registrations to this event – stay tuned for programme updates, which we will be releasing in the coming weeks.”

Sinead Rocks, MD of Nations and Regions, Channel 4 said:

“Channel 4 is delighted to be a headline sponsor of the Belfast Media Festival, which has become such an important fixture in the creative calendar. Northern Ireland is home to a wealth of talent and world-class storytelling, and we’re proud to play our part in supporting the industry. The festival’s focus on collaboration, innovation and forward-thinking resonates strongly with Channel 4’s own mission, and we’re really looking forward to this year’s celebration of creativity and ideas.”

Eddie Doyle, Head of Content Commissioning, BBC Northern Ireland, says: “The Belfast Media Festival continues to be a vital platform for collaboration and innovation across the screen industry. This year’s expanded programme reflects the energy, ambition and talent that define the local sector here, and we’re proud to lend our continued support to an event that champions Northern Ireland storytelling, talent development and working together.”

Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, commented: “Belfast Media Festival plays an important role in connecting, inspiring and showcasing the creative talent that drives Northern Ireland’s screen industries. The addition of Channel 4 as a headline sponsor further strengthens this year’s festival and reflects the growing recognition of Northern Ireland as a vibrant hub for storytelling, production and innovation. BMF’s focus on the future aligns perfectly with our commitment to developing skills, nurturing talent and ensuring that our screen sector continues to thrive on both a local and global stage.”

Belfast Media Festival will take place from 11-13th November in The MAC Belfast, and is supported by Channel 4, Northern Ireland Screen and BBC Northern Ireland.  Registrations are available via: belfastmediafestival.co.uk.  Please follow Belfast Media Festival on Instagram and LinkedIn to hear the latest updates.