18:00Started
The Black Box
Belfast · 33 approved listings in the next two weeks.
Friday 30 October 4 listings
Tonight 4
18:15Started
BFF: Damian McCarthy Masterclass
Belfast Film Festival are thrilled to welcome Damian McCarthy , the twisted mind behind ODDITY, CAVEAT and most recently HOKUM, to this year’s festival to take part in a directing masterclass as part of our Long Short Weekend. McCarthy’s career began with some skin-crawling shorts which screened and won awards at festivals around the world. His feature debut, CAVEAT, screened in 2020 before being added to Shudder and becoming a worldwide sensation. He followed this with ODDITY in 2024, before his biggest feature yet in HOKUM, starring Adam Scott. Despite his meteoric rise, his work retains a deeply Irish sensibility: darkly humorous and versed in folklore, scratching at that paranoid, uncomfortable itch at the back of the brain. The conversation will be moderated by actor, writer and director Clare Monnelly (star of Aislinn Clarke’s FRÉWAKA). Featuring some of Damian’s shorts, some clips from his films, and some from the work that inspired him, this will be an indispensable evening for filmmakers and film fans alike. This masterclass is sponsored by Northern Ireland Screen.
20:30
BFF: HOKUM Live Commentary
Belfast Film Festival are very excited to welcome director Damian McCarthy and editor Brian Philip Davis to take part in a live commentary of their horror hit HOKUM. Arrogant and alienating American novelist Ohm Bauman (the wickedly talented Adam Scott) travels to Ireland to spread his parents’ ashes. He stays in the same quaint Irish inn where they spent their honeymoon. Whilst getting drunk and annoying the locals, he becomes entranced by folk tales of a witch trapped in the very hotel he is staying in. When a woman disappears, he is drawn into the mysteries and horrors that lie beneath the surface of this quaint hotel, and the disturbing secrets from his own suppressed past. Damian and Brian will introduce the film before telling all about the nitty-gritty of crafting a horror film. Commentating live, they’ll provide behind-the-scenes stories and insight on their creative process. This event is 18+
20:30
Hokum Director’s Live Commentary
We are very excited to welcome director Damian McCarthy and editor Brian Philip Davis to take part in a live commentary of their horror hit HOKUM. Arrogant and alienating American novelist Ohm Bauman (the wickedly talented Adam Scott) travels to Ireland to spread his parents’ ashes. He stays in the same quaint Irish inn where they spent their honeymoon. Whilst getting drunk and annoying the locals, he becomes entranced by folk tales of a witch trapped in the very hotel he is staying in. When a woman disappears, he is drawn into the mysteries and horrors that lie beneath the surface of this quaint hotel, and the disturbing secrets from his own suppressed past. Damian and Brian will introduce the film before telling all about the nitty-gritty of crafting a horror film. Commentating live, they’ll provide behind-the scenes stories and insight on their creative process.
Saturday 31 October 3 listings
Afternoon 2
13:30
BFF: Spider Baby
Spider Baby, otherwise known as The Maddest Story Ever Told, features horror stars Lon Chaney Jr. and Sid Haig in a bizarre cult-classic that twists tales like The Addams Family into depraved directions. In a lonesome dilapidated house, chauffeur Bruno cares for the Merrye children, all affected by a degenerative illness. When money-grubbing relatives visit unannounced to claim the house as their own, the Merrye family take action into their own hands. After the screening, we will be joined by Disability Action Research Kollective member Aaliyah Bates and artist and disability activist Deirdre McKenna for a panel discussion exploring how horror can act as reflection of social fears, or as a site of reclamation. This film features negative caricatures of people with disabilities and ableist behaviour.
13:30
Spider Baby & Post Screening Discussion
Spider Baby, otherwise known as The Maddest Story Ever Told, features horror stars Lon Chaney Jr. and Sid Haig in a bizarre cult-classic that twists tales like The Addams Family into depraved directions. In a lonesome dilapidated house, chauffeur Bruno cares for the Merrye children, all affected by a degenerative illness. When money-grubbing relatives visit unannounced to claim the house as their own, the Merrye family take action into their own hands. After the screening, we will be joined by Disability Action Research Kollective member Aaliyah Bates and artist and disability activist Deirdre McKenna for a panel discussion exploring how horror can act as reflection of social fears, or as a site of reclamation. Please note this film features negative caricatures of people with disabilities and ableist behaviour. This screening is a Relaxed (RS) event with subtitles for d/Deaf and hard of hearing (SDH). There will be BSL signing for the panel discussion.
Tonight 1
19:00
Fuego Fatale-Women of Horror
Join us for our annual Halloween celebration in the black box. Expect pole, burlesque, drag and much much more.
Sunday 1 November 7 listings
Morning 1
10:30
New Irish Shorts – Programme #1
New Irish Shorts – Programme #1 This selection of shorts reflects on rough & rowdy ways. We all find ourselves stuck between a rock and a hard place sometimes, and the answer is not always where we expect to find it, be it in Irish dancing, a 1980s computer game or eating ice cream with an allegedly cursed black cat. Dir. Christopher McSherry, 6mins Housepainter Fergal finds a spot of mould in his bedroom. Nothing a lick of paint wouldn’t fix. But the mould comes back aggressively, and Fergal soon finds himself fighting for his life and his sanity. His battle against the dark crevices of the mind is told through lovingly handmade stop-motion animation. Dir. Damian McCann, 17mins Down on luck and down on life, taxi driver Seán figures now is the time to end it all. When a woman with a black cat jumps in his cab, he finds his luck changing in unexpected ways. This darkly funny take on mortality and superstition unfolds as a tense yet tender two-hander. Dir. Zoe O’Rourke, 15mins This affecting period piece focuses on the relationship between a lonely young girl and her teenage babysitter. Through a shared love of the computer game ZORK, she learns about the big bad world and the urge to run away from it all. Dir. Alex Gill, 10mins A Filipino nurse is late for her shift after picking up her Irish-born daughter. Now stuck in traffic, they butt heads over their different upbringings and perceptions of each other. A smart and incisive examination of diaspora and family. Dir. Eileen Tracy, 16mins Millennial Gemma is right on the verge of getting married when her fiancé breaks things off out of the blue. Depressed and dispirited, she soon discovers a new lust for life after taking on Irish dancing, and finding kindred spirit amongst Gen Z teenagers.
Afternoon 4
12:30
New Irish Shorts – Programme #2
New Irish Shorts – Programme #2 Fractures and crossroads run through this programme about history and identity. The past bleeds through and muddies the self in tales of buildings, photographers and pop singers, whereas the Internet infects and alters the societal expectations of tourist traps, outdated messaging boards and same-day deliveries. Dir. Dara Oliver, 11mins A film crew’s arrival in the historic Riddel’s Warehouse awakens the sleeping soul of the building, unlocking the past and releasing the spirits and stories of those who have passed through. A sharply written and thoughtfully composed journey through the echoes of history. Dir. Matthew Hardy, 3mins An essay on fragments/a fragmented tribute to the photographer/rayographer Man Ray. This audacious/ insightful/incisive short captures the spirit of the man/his work with striking beauty and brevity. Dir. Stephen T. Lally, 15mins Sensitive singer/songwriter Bridget is churned through the capitalist machine and becomes CHARITY: a Y2K Pop Princess with a capital P. When she tries to break free from the suffocation of fame and fortune, she is subjected to a surreal odyssey of boy bands, body horror and banging tunes. Dir. Jack Warren, 7mins Trans YouTuber Bailey leaves America for Ireland, but as she documents her new life in Dublin, strange happenings occur in the background. The evil tourist simulacra of Temple Bar on St. Patrick’s Day provides the backdrop for this uncanny odyssey into the dark heart of the Fair City. Dir. Lisa Freeman, 5mins A spoken word meditation on our current culture of convenience and exploitation. Repeated images of racetrack greyhounds and Porky Pig echo and fragment across the screen, distorting our perception of the images and even our understanding of ‘sameday delivery.’ Dir. Heath Virgoe, 11mins Schoolboy Noah finds liberation in the simulation, expressing through an online avatar what he is unable to in real life. This visually inventive and wholesome coming-of-age story harks back to a time when the World Wide Web was still a place for excitement and exploration. Dir. Fergus Boylan, 2mins A lonely civil servant gets a visit from a crooning cowboy in this brief but beautiful animation ruminating on longing and love songs.
14:30
New Irish Shorts – Programme #3
New Irish Shorts – Programme #3 It’s not just you. There’s something wrong these days. You can’t go for a drive, you can’t go for a pint, you can’t even have a bowl of cereal without that inexplicable, unescapable feeling of dread following you around. These films aim for the pit of the stomach. Dir. Paul Kennedy, 7mins In this highly strung experiment in tension, a car stops another car. The drivers talk. Or do they argue? The answers are just out of reach in this unnervingly ambient thriller, featuring uncanny visuals alongside a haunting soundscape. Dir. Tracy Martin, 13mins After being picked up from work, a mother is told a devastating truth that she must keep secret. For the sake of the family. Touching on social media frenzy and male violence, a stomach-churning drama unfolds within the claustrophobic confines of a car. Dir. Olivia Normile, 3mins The act of blinking is considered as a form of editing in this expressive piece rich in texture and imagery. We are presented with a series of striking yet mysterious compositions for a few fleeting moments. Let them seep into your subconscious before it’s too late. Dir. Benedict Godard, 13mins In this aural nightmare, Lily struggles to control her tinnitus while composing the score for an unearthed silent film. She soon discovers something lurking within the celluloid itself, something unnerving that she can’t unhear. Dir. Stuart Drennan, 9mins One lad tells another lad a crazy story about a stranger who snuck into his flat after a night out, and wait ‘til you hear what happened next… A bitta craic over a pint becomes an uncomfortable confrontation and a pointed examination of masculinity and coercion. Dir. Kurt Dean-Darby, 15mins In this delightfully delirious horror, a mysteriously mystic box of cereal arrives in the life of a recovering alcoholic. Though harmless at first, those seemingly wholesome wholegrain hoops soon wreak havoc, leaving blood, guts and milk in their wake. Showings Sunday, 1 November 2026 - 2:30pm @ Black Box Get Tickets →
15:00
Bagpuss and Beyond – the History of Smallfilms
Of all the programming from the “golden age of children’s television” surely no body of work is so fondly remembered as that of Smallfilms. Narrator/animator Oliver Postgate and his artist friend Peter Firmin created worlds together which have endured for generations. Bagpuss is consistently voted the nation’s favourite children’s character, but there were also the Clangers, Ivor the Engine, Noggin the Nog, Pogles’ Wood and many more. Outside of his work for Smallfilms, Firmin also designed and created Basil Brush. Northern Ireland Screen’s Broadcast Archivist, Evan Marshall, presents the whole history of Smallfilms, from its earliest beginnings to its final works and beyond. Illustrated with Firmin’s magical art and clips from the shows themselves, the talk shines a light on the famous works as well as some of the more forgotten chapters of Smallfilm’s history with clips unseen for decades such as Sam on Boffs’ Island and Oliver’s impassioned anti-nuclear 1980s documentary, Life on Earth, Perhaps.
16:30
New Irish Shorts – Programme #4
New Irish Shorts – Programme #4 How do you define yourself? What makes a self? And what happens when elements out of your control threaten your already slippery sense of self? Our final selection of films meditate on different forms of identity as affected by motherhood, landlords and geopolitical leanings. Dir. Alannah McNamee, 14mins Two women meet in a park, seemingly with nothing in common, yet they forge an unexpected and unshakeable bond. This compassionate piece runs the gamut of human emotion, insightfully touching on love, loss, longing and loneliness. Dir. Katie Bridget Murphy, 11mins In this bright and breezy comedy of yearning and shoe sizes, shy office worker Emily has a crush on her colleague but is too scared to do anything about it. After a chance encounter, she listens to her inner hype-woman and steps into the unknown. Dir. Tanith Mh, 15mins After her evil landlord threatens to evict the entire household, unemployed Steph desperately tries to scrape together the cash to save them all. Begging, busking, betting it all on a cash call, she’ll do anything to keep her house together. Dir. Sam Nutt, 16mins Heather is slowly returning to normality after undergoing a heart transplant, but something is not quite right. Whether it’s in the unknown tune stuck in her head, or the ‘sláinte’ which slips from her lips, she finds herself questioning her entire way of life. Dir. John Michell, 13mins An adaptation of the viral tweet thread by Séamas O’Reilly, this vivid and lively animation tells the true story of a young lad who mixes up his days at work and ends up alone in a room with his boss and the President of Ireland. Oh and he’s also high on drugs.
Tonight 2
18:30
20 Cigarettes
In director Will McConnell’s latest lo-fi experiment, the concept of the ‘crime film’ is transformed through a structural gambit. Each scene begins with a cigarette being lit and ends as it is stubbed out. Lasting as long as a humble pack of cigarettes does, we witness a story unfold through its liminal moments. With each drag, we learn about Jim and Vick. Against the backdrop of a vote for Irish unity, they get pulled into a life of crime. They soon learn however that the Bonnie and Clyde lifestyle is a hard one to maintain, and their relationship becomes as threatened as the national identity is. 20 Cigarettes is a refreshing take on the genre film in Northern Ireland, addressing and confronting the issues surrounding ‘our wee country’ rather than existing in a vacuum. The central relationship, as brought to life by Charlie Creighton and Anita Jurkovic, is nuanced and deeply felt. This is a bold and exciting film for the current moment.
20:00
The Lough Speaks
If we could hear Lough Neagh speak, what would she say? The widely publicised pollution of the lough has been described as a slow death. The build-up of agricultural poison has formed toxic algal blooms that choke the wild inhabitants of the lough and drive the local community from its shores. But Lough Neagh has been part of our world for 400 million years, and borders five of the six counties. People have been benefitting from its resources since the dawn of civilisation, and stories of the lough are woven into the mythological fabric of Ulster and beyond. This live event juxtaposes Northern Ireland’s rich television archive of BBC Northern Ireland and Ulster Television with traditional Irish singing and local journalism to explore the heritage, history and cultural significance of Lough Neagh. With traditional singer Méabh Meir as the voice of Lough Neagh, and spoken word from Tommy Greene , reading from his book, Troubled Waters: How Lough Neagh Is Being Destroyed by Corporate Greed and Political Neglect. Curated by Belfast Film Festival programmer, Rose Baker , and edited by Docs Ireland programmer, Stuart Sloan .
Monday 2 November 3 listings
Morning 1
10:00
BFF / XR Festival: The Baby Factory is Closed
What if the menopause wasn’t an ending, but the beginning of a rebellion? The Baby Factory Is Closed is an award-winning, 20-minute interactive virtual reality story that puts you inside the body of Zoraan, a woman navigating the menopause in a near-future world of A.I. surveillance, climate collapse and systems determined to control her. This is not a quiet story about ageing. It is funny, furious, surreal and unapologetically rebellious. The Baby Factory Is Closed turns the body itself into the battleground. Original music composition by Katie Richardson. Following sold-out international shows in the USA, Canada and France, the work comes home to the Belfast XR Festival. You don’t need to understand VR. You don’t need to have experienced menopause. You just need to be willing to enter Zoraan’s world. Tickets are limited. Come and find out why The Baby Factory Is Closed. This screening uses VR headsets There are 6 tickets available for each half-hour time slot. This event is 16+.
Tonight 2
19:00
BFF / XR Festival: Escape The Internet
A massive multiplayer game, where you and over a hundred strangers are trapped on a mysterious island and must work together with your phones to escape the A.I. apocalypse. Created by legendary director Lucas Rizzotto and built with Pete Cybriwsky. Escape The Internet is a new gaming genre that shatters the 4th wall and takes audience interaction to the next level. Experience wild interactive set pieces, uncover the secrets of the people sitting next to you and evade monsters in a deep mystery full of colourful characters. But move fast, because time is of the essence: every audience member is infected with terminal brainrot and can be possessed by an algorithmic demon at any moment. Your future, and the future of the entire internet, is at stake. You can’t stream it. You can’t play it at home. You have to be here. Bring your fully charged phone. Bring your friends. Escape the Internet. Escape The Internet is presented by BXRF in partnership with IDFA DocLab. Individual tickets are priced at £15. If you are booking for a group of 4, please see our Group of 4 Bundle for 10% off your order! This event is 18+
19:30
Susy Good: Album Launch
Susy Good performs her debut album ‘Lost In Your Glory’ with support from Evie Macdonald Susy Good is a singer-songwriter from Northern Ireland known for her warm vocals, reflective, hope-infused themes, and deeply personal writing. Blending elements of contemporary folk and indie-pop, Susy creates music that explores her Christian faith and love for God. For the past year, she has been working on her debut album with producer and friend Josh Keys, with special guests and friends featuring throughout the record. She will be performing her debut album, ‘Lost In Your Glory ‘, with support from Evie Macdonald in The Green Room Bar at Black Box. This event is 18+
Wednesday 4 November 2 listings
Tonight 2
19:00
The First Slip
A mid-week institution, The First Slip is an evening of traditional music and singing at the Green Room, with local string enthusiasts Joshua Burnside, Myles McCormack, Kate de Barra and friends. Free in!
FreeVenue listing
20:00
Andy Irvine & Quilty
One of Ireland’s greatest traditional musicians, Andy Irvine , joins forces with acclaimed Swedish folk group Quilty for a very special evening of Irish and Scandinavian music as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival in collaboration with The Black Box, Belfast. A pioneering figure in traditional music for over five decades, Andy Irvine’s unmistakable voice, virtuosic bouzouki playing and extraordinary songwriting have made him one of the most influential artists of his generation. From his groundbreaking work with Planxty and Patrick Street to collaborations with some of the world’s finest folk musicians, Irvine has continually expanded the possibilities of traditional music while remaining deeply rooted in its storytelling traditions. Described as “a tradition in himself”, Irvine brings a lifetime of musical journeys to the stage, from Irish ballads and self-penned songs to the Balkan influences that have shaped his distinctive sound. Joining him are Quilty, widely regarded as Scandinavia’s foremost interpreters of Irish traditional music. Celebrating over 30 years together, Quilty have built an international reputation through their passionate performances, intricate arrangements and deep connection to Irish song and culture. Their collaboration brings together two remarkable musical worlds: the timeless melodies and stories of Ireland alongside the rich textures of Swedish traditional music. Expect stirring vocals, intricate instrumental playing and a programme filled with songs of journeys, landscapes, love, adventure and the sea. Following a hugely successful 2023 tour celebrating Quilty’s 30th anniversary, this new collaboration sees Andy Irvine and Quilty expand their shared musical language, blending Irish and Swedish traditions into a captivating concert experience.
Thursday 5 November 1 listing
Tonight 1
20:00
Thursday Night Quiz W/ Best Boy Magazine and Normal Cinema Club
Can you tell us how they filmed the big Cyclops guy in The Odyssey? Can you tell us how they filmed the little rock thing in Project Hail Mary? Can you tell us how they managed to film a Michael Jackson biopic in this day and age?? For their next trick, Best Boy Magazine & Normal Cinema Club return with yet another quiz dedicated to the most magical medium of all: the movies of course. These Quixotic quizmasters will ask the important questions and reveal the vape and mirrors behind cinema’s most wonderful illusions of grandeur. Expect questions asking if Alana Haim was really the villain, if Anthony Bourdain would really have liked Tony, and the greatest question of all, what the hell is a miasma? It’s Late Night Art, so percolate yourself in culture before perplexing yourself in quiz. Teams are capped at a maximum of 6.
Friday 6 November 1 listing
Tonight 1
20:00
Mississippi Records Presents: A People’s History of Music
Presented by Moving On Music We are delighted to welcome Mississippi Records founder Eric Isaacson for a visual and sonic presentation telling a story of global music scenes that both struggled and endeavoured throughout periods of authoritarianism. It’s a timely and compelling interweaving of people, place, past and present, and making music in troubling times. It’s the story of powerful interests trying to control music and how people fight back. This event explores folk art champions and the exploitative nature of the mainstream music industry – all while drawing on Eric’s comical and colourful personal experiences of the fascist creep. For seventeen years Mississippi Records operated with zero internet presence, released no digital music, and ran a cash only record store in Portland, Oregon. It became a true cult label – selling over one million records and helping (re)discover such artists as Michael Hurley, Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou, and The Space Lady. Come along and keep on keepin’ on.
Saturday 7 November 5 listings
Afternoon 2
15:00
Coven Comedy Club
A relaxed and inclusive afternoon comedy show featuring up-and coming talent, as well as familiar favourites of the NI comedy scene.
15:00
How Can Cinema Be a Tool for Anti-Racism? Panel Discussion
In 2005, the Belfast Film Festival curated a series of screenings and commissioned a publication on racism in Belfast. This was in response to multiple media outlets describing the city as ‘the most racist’ in the world, and was an attempt to understand how cinema and the moving image can be intertwined with race and racism. 20 years have passed and the world is almost unrecognisable. The advent of social media and the blurred lines of news and fake news has created an environment in which racist pogroms can be incited through AI-generated posts. When the moving image is being manipulated to manipulate others, how can cinema be used to combat this hatred? This panel discussion brings together activists, community workers and film scholars to discuss the question posed and how cinema might fill a vacuum, on a community level, where our own political system has failed. Taking part in the panel will be: Dr Kim-Marie Spence (QUB) Kim-Marie Spence is Lecturer in Cultural Industries and Policy at Queen’s University Belfast. She is also an adjunct lecturer at the Caribbean School of Media & Communication (CARIMAC) at the University of the West Indies (Jamaica). Her research focuses on cultural policy and cultural industries with a focus on Non-West music industries. Recently, she has turned her attention to Black Music/ians in Northern Ireland, as part of a project on British Black Music with the Black Music Research Unit, University of Westminster – which is currently the subject of a BBC Black Music project with the V&A East. Kim-Marie is also a former Jamaica Film Commissioner/Head of Creative Industries. She is director of sits on the boards of international award-winning cultural institutions, The MAC Belfast; Kingston Creative; and Co-Chair of the John Hansard Gallery. Dr Elspeth Vischer Dr Elspeth Vischer is a filmmaker, writer and project coordinator based in Belfast. Elspeth runs the production company Vish Films and specialises in making non-fiction and experimental work concerned with counter-hegemonic perspectives. To date Elspeth has had films screened at international festivals including Docs Ireland, Gaze, Silver Wave, Canada and RVK Feminist, Reykjavik. Elspeth completed a Creative Practice PhD at Queen’s University in 2023 and has been published in numerous academic journals. Elspeth coordinated the Northern Ireland Now Project with Nerve Centre and Northern Ireland Screen between October 2023 – July 2026. This project aimed to diversify the Digital Film Archive through collaborative community engagement across Belfast and the North of Ireland. From August 2026 Elspeth has been a part of the Belfast Stories team working as a Coordinator to bring community engagement and story gathering to this large scale screen centre, creative space and visitor hub due to open in Belfast 2030. Tabassum Islam Susmi Tabassum Islam is a PhD researcher at Ulster University, studying South Asian women’s participation in the UK film industry. Working as a film programmer across Bangladesh, Netherlands, Scotland and Northern Ireland, she has delivered more than 25+ community film screenings in the past three years, driven by a commitment to making cinema more accessible for the underserved audience. This has led to roles including Sparks Programmer at Belfast Film Festival and, currently, Project Facilitator for Spotlight NW at the Nerve Centre. She also hosts Conversations Across Borders, a podcast featuring South Asian film talent from around the world. Claire Mullaly Claire Mullaly is a film and borders researcher. Her fields of research are censorship, identities, and the role of cinema as the alternative public sphere in activism and resistance.
Tonight 3
18:00
The People Under the Stairs & catu Walking Tour
Wes Craven’s The People Under the Stairs (1991) is a razor-sharp horror satire on gentrification. More resonant now than upon its release in 1991, it follows a young boy who breaks into the home of two slum landlords, only to explore the horror hidden within their walls. This screening is paired with a cinematic walking tour in collaboration with CATU Belfast. Community Action Tenants Union (CATU) is an Ireland-wide, members-owned-and-run tenants union, dedicated to tackling housing issues, protecting renters’ rights and grassroots community organising. The tour highlights the destructive impact Airbnbs have on communities and the ongoing housing crisis. Just as importantly, it opens a conversation about what we can do to challenge these pressures. Together, the walking tour and the film create a two-part reflection on the increasing harm caused by landlordism. Audiences can join us for the combined walking tour and screening, or attend the screening on its own. Event timings: This screening is Relaxed (RS) and has subtitles for d/Deaf or hard of hearing. There will be BSL signing for the introduction of the film.
19:00Doors
Sound of Belfast Festival: The Budvar Music Trail – TESSIO & Piaras O’Lorcain
Recently nominated for Best Live Act at the 2025 NI Music Prize, ‘tessio’ are a singer-songwriter duo from Derry, – Callum Feeney and Jude McCandless. They play acoustic guitars, sing close harmonies, write, record and produce their own songs. Their main influences range from Simon and Garfunkel and The Everly Brothers to the La’s. Described as having, “a skill for songwriting way beyond their years.” by Chordblossom, they have supported acts such as Billy Ocean, Hothouse Flowers, Muireann Bradley, Joshua Burnside, The 4 Of Us and played to packed out crowds at Other Voices and All Together Now, as well as the RTE Folk Awards 2024. The duo released their self-titled debut album in December 2024 to much praise and acclaim, receiving consistent national airplay in the UK as well as Ireland across both BBC and RTE Radio. Piaras Ó Lorcáin is a sean-nós singer from Crossmaglen, County Armagh, recognised for his strong, controlled vocal delivery and clear, expressive ornamentation. His singing is rooted in the Oriel tradition, with an emphasis on storytelling, phrasing and emotional depth. He performs both unaccompanied in the traditional style and in ensemble settings. Alongside his singing, Piaras is a multi-instrumentalist, incorporating traditional instruments into band performances when required. His musicality informs his vocal interpretation, giving him a confident presence whether performing solo or with groups such as The Railway Boys and Bláth na hÓige. Capacity is limited, so get down early. You don’t want to miss this one! This event is 18+
FreeVenue listing
19:00
The Budvar Music Trail: TESSIO & Piaras O'Lorcain
Recently nominated for Best Live Act at the 2025 NI Music Prize, ‘tessio’ are a singer-songwriter duo from Derry, - Callum Feeney and Jude McCandless. They play acoustic guitars, sing close harmonies, write, record and produce their own songs. Their main influences range from Simon and Garfunkel and The Everly Brothers to the La’s. Described as having, "a skill for songwriting way beyond their years." by Chordblossom, they have supported acts such as Billy Ocean, Hothouse Flowers, Muireann Bradley, Joshua Burnside, The 4 Of Us and played to packed out crowds at Other Voices and All Together Now, as well as the RTE Folk Awards 2024. The duo released their self-titled debut album in December 2024 to much praise and acclaim, receiving consistent national airplay in the UK as well as Ireland across both BBC and RTE Radio. Piaras Ó Lorcáin is a sean-nós singer from Crossmaglen, County Armagh, recognised for his strong, controlled vocal delivery and clear, expressive ornamentation. His singing is rooted in the Oriel tradition, with an emphasis on storytelling, phrasing and emotional depth. He performs both unaccompanied in the traditional style and in ensemble settings. Alongside his singing, Piaras is a multi-instrumentalist, incorporating traditional instruments into band performances when required. His musicality informs his vocal interpretation, giving him a confident presence whether performing solo or with groups such as The Railway Boys and Bláth na hÓige. Capacity is limited, so get down early. You don’t want to miss this one! Free Entry 18+ Posted In: Live Music , Budvar Music Trail Tagged: 18+
Sunday 8 November 1 listing
Tonight 1
20:00
Catherine Bohart: Borrowing Trouble Sold out
Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Catherine Bohart ( Live at the Apollo , QI , The Last Leg ) is touring with a brand new show in 2026 and you should be there! Borrowing Trouble will be Catherine’s best show yet and she can’t wait to see you on tour. As seen and heard on A League of Their Own , Mock the Week , The Mash Report , The News Quiz , Last One Laughing Ireland , and her Amazon Prime special Immaculate . Host of hit podcast Trusty Hogs. Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee 2024. Praise for Catherine’s previous show, Again, With Feelings : ‘Firecracker hour… her best yet’ ★★★★★ Guardian ‘A stand-up in such command of her material… a real delight’ ★★★★ Chortle ‘Cynically hilarious’ ★★★★ Scotsman ‘Naturally funny… quick wit’ ★★★★ Times This event is 18+
Monday 9 November 1 listing
Tonight 1
20:00
Fool Me Twice! – Premiere Screening
The premiere of Fool Me Twice, a new comedy noir following Jimmy Sentoro and Chief Inspector Mackerel! On November 9th, join us as screen Bombs Away! , followed by the premiere of ‘Fool Me Twice!’ , our latest comedy noir film, centered on private investigator Jimmy Sentoro , as he encounters, The Jester , an unhinged new killer in town, with one goal, destroying Sentoros life! Each ticket includes admission to the screening. This event is 18+
Tuesday 10 November 2 listings
Tonight 2
19:00Doors
Black Moon: Transient Visitors
Black Moon have teamed up with Gig Buddies Belfast to co-host Transient Visitors (London) for their Belfast debut gig. Don’t miss our extra special Black Moon for Sounds of Belfast Festival 2026 ! We are delighted to welcome Club Soda and South London 5 piece Transient Visitors to the mainstage for an epic evening of disabled music and talent. These storytellers write songs conjuring up a bespoke dark, melodic sound. Their debut album ‘Tapestry’ landed in 2025, cementing them as a rising band to keep your ears glued to. Travelling through new wave, post-punk and electronic elements, they draw inspiration from The Cure, Joy Division and Ghost. ‘Run From The Shadows ’ is a catchy, up-tempo headbanger about the importance of facing your demons, whilst powerful indie-synth-pop opener ‘Fabricator’ chronicles catching a liar in the act. The Black Box has a long history of nurturing grassroots arts while being a trailblazer in disability culture since we first opened the doors back in 2006. We proudly welcome the mighty Transient Visitors ! Black Moon is the original inclusive club scene. Disabled people make the party, create the vibe, socialise and have a blast in a trusted venue. Black Moon is Belfast’s longest running inclusive club night hosted on a monthly basis in the Black Box. Starting in 2010 Black Moon is a disabled-led event featuring resident artists, DJ Twister, DJ Revolve and DJ Stevie B. Black Moon will be playing tunes throughout the night and keeping the dancefloor grooving. Join Us! You can pay on the door or via our ticket link. Free PA tickets. 18 + (Club with full bar, visuals and a relaxed atmosphere) Black Moon demonstrates how accessible nightlife supports building a city for all. CLICK HERE for Further Access Information #inclusionnotinvitation
19:00
The Budvar Music Trail : Blackmoon & Gig buddies belfast presents Transient Visitors and Blackmoon Resident DJs
Black Moon have teamed up with Gig Buddies Belfast to co-host Transient Visitors (London) for their Belfast debut gig. Don’t miss our extra special Black Moon for Sounds of Belfast Festival 2026! We are delighted to welcome Club Soda and South London 5 piece Transient Visitors to the mainstage for an epic evening of disabled music and talent. These storytellers write songs conjuring up a bespoke dark, melodic sound. Their debut album ‘Tapestry’ landed in 2025, cementing them as a rising band to keep your ears glued to. Travelling through new wave, post-punk and electronic elements, they draw inspiration from The Cure, Joy Division and Ghost. ‘Run From The Shadows’ is a catchy, up-tempo headbanger about the importance of facing your demons, whilst powerful indie-synth-pop opener ‘Fabricator’ chronicles catching a liar in the act. The Black Box has a long history of nurturing grassroots arts while being a trailblazer in disability culture since we first opened the doors back in 2006. We proudly welcome the mighty Transient Visitors! Black Moon is the original inclusive club scene. Disabled people make the party, create the vibe, socialise and have a blast in a trusted venue. Black Moon is Belfast's longest running inclusive club night hosted on a monthly basis in the Black Box. Starting in 2010 Black Moon is a disabled-led event featuring resident artists, DJ Twister, DJ Revolve and DJ Stevie B. Black Moon will be playing tunes throughout the night and keeping the dancefloor grooving. Join Us! Click here for accessibilty information. £6.00 18+ Posted In: Live Music , Budvar Music Trail Tagged: 18+
Wednesday 11 November 1 listing
Tonight 1
20:00
TC.KYLIE — RE:conciliation Album Release Tour 2026
Hong Kong-born, London-based keyboardist and composer TC.KYLIE makes her Belfast and Northern Ireland debut at The Black Box this November, during the opening stretch of her UK and European autumn tour. TC.KYLIE turns cinematic jazz fusion into high-energy sonic storytelling. Piano, synths and her signature keytar move between driving Japanese jazz-rock, acid grooves and improvisation, while SEGA-era textures collide with moments of Studio Ghibli-like warmth . Her musical touchstones stretch from the improvisational energy of Hiromi Uehara to the explosive momentum of fox capture plan and jizue . Before building her music career, TC.KYLIE worked in news and documentary journalism at Hong Kong’s public broadcaster RTHK. That documentarian instinct still shapes how she writes: experiences, memories and emotional details that once became stories on screen now find their way into instrumental music. The medium has changed, but the impulse remains the same — to observe, remember and document through sound. Her forthcoming debut album, RE:conciliation , follows the stages of a lifetime — from childhood wonder and youthful rebellion through ambition, burnout and grief, towards acceptance and returning to where everything began. Her debut EP RE:birth was described by Jazz Journal as “a lovely mix of European and Asian influences… reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli soundtrack,” calling it “immersive” and “the sonic equivalent of a sunrise.” Since then, TC.KYLIE has built a sold-out UK and European headline run including Ronnie Scott’s London and A-Trane Berlin , appeared at the V&A Performance Festival , and supported Takuya Kuroda, Kyoto Jazz Massive and Butcher Brown . On 11 November, that world reaches Belfast for the first time. TC.KYLIE – Keys / Keytar Karlos Hall – Drums Indigo Pearce – Bass Natasha Petrović – Violin Alex Skinner – Saxophone
Thursday 12 November 1 listing
Tonight 1
19:00