2025 marks the 15th edition of Belfast Book Festival, housed all under one roof at The Crescent
Arts Centre in Belfast from 5-12 June. This year sees an ambitious celebration of poetry, fiction,
crime writing, journalism, screenwriting, a memorable exhibition plus developmental
opportunities via a tailored strand of expert-led discussions and workshops.
Highlights include Game of Thrones star Kristain Nairn and his new book that documents life
on the set of one of the world’s most popular TV shows, Sam McAlister former BBC Newsnight
producer and author of Scoops: Behind the Scenes of the BBC’s Most Shocking Interviews, as
well as many other author events and discussions with Joseph O’Connor, Wendy Erskine,
Tessa Hadley, Eimear McBride, Luke Harding, Darran Anderson, Eoin McNamee, Roddy
Doyle, Andrea Carter, Neil Hegarty, Noreen Masud, Claire Lynch, Roisin O’Donnell, Jan
Carson, Gráinne O’Hare and Thomas Morris amongst others.
From the screen to the page, Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn will be in conversation
with author Wendy Erskine discussing his first major memoir Beyond the Throne, offering a
snapshot of behind-the-scenes anecdotes as well as insight to his life as a DJ and drag
performer in Belfast. Whilst director Kathryn Ferguson (Nothing Compares, acclaimed Sinead
O’Connor biopic) writer and director Stacey Gregg and author Wendy Erskine will discuss
bringing words to life and many facets of screenwriting during an event chaired by author and
television presenter, Babita Sharma. Wendy Erskine’s short story Nostalgie, has been made
into a short drama – adapted by screenwriter Stacey Gregg, and directed by Kathryn Ferguson
and this event offers a chance to hear directly from these three talented creatives about their
working processes – as individuals and as collaborators.
From screenwriting, to kicking the screen habit all together, journalist and author Helen Russell
will share her knowledge on How to Raise a Viking. Delving into the parenting culture in Nordic
nations, Russell will share thoughts on parenting, screen time and online safety. In a similar
vein, campaigner, writer and conservation biologist, Ruby Free and a panel of community
activists implore audiences to look to the skies with her event Why Nature Needs You. The
event will also pay homage to The Crescent’s resident swift colony – one of the largest on the
island of Ireland. Migrating each year, the birds have been taking refuge and residence in the
eaves of The Crescent every year for over a century, providing a unique heritage with many
audience members sure to witness the amazing aviators across the 8 day programme.
Journalism and documentary also have a beat within this year’s programming. Emmy
nominated producer and author of Scoops: Behind the Scenes of the BBC’s Most Shocking
Interviews (recently adapted into a Netflix drama), Sam McAlister will join Lucia
Osborne-Crowley, (author of The Lasting Harm: Witnessing the Trial of Ghislaine Maxwell) for
a riveting discussion on the complexities of high-profile legal battles, power and privilege and
how journalism shapes public perception and accountability.
A special event hosted by BBC NI news anchor Tara Mills, brings together Rory Carroll, (Irish
correspondent for The Guardian and author of Killing Thatcher), Mary McKeagney, (BBC
Commissioner on the 2024 documentary Bombing Brighton: The Plot to Kill Thatcher) and
Owen McFadden, (producer of the BBC Sounds podcast, The Brighton Bomb) to look at the
different narrative approaches to the 1984 Brighton bombing – the biggest assault on a British
government since the Gunpowder Plot. Discussing these different media formats (book, podcast
and film documentary) the event reflects on how with multiple platforms available today, there is
more than one way to share a story.
Continuing in the world of journalism, Luke Harding (award winning foreign correspondent for
The Guardian) offers an unmissable conversation about Ukraine and the latest developments in
world politics whilst Nelofer Pazira-Fisk will spotlight the legacy of her late husband, Robert
Fisk, the renowned foreign correspondent who covered civil wars around the world. And for
those that enjoy a podcast, Gary Younge and Carys Afoko will talk all things Over The Top,
Under The Radar, their weekly podcast discussing politics, current pop culture and how it is
often important to dig a bit deeper than the leading headlines.
Sophie Hayles, CEO of The Crescent Arts Centre and Director of the Belfast Book
Festival, says:
‘This year’s festival truly offers a wide variety of literary events and workshops for all ages and
interests. There’s some big hitters on there and we also platform upcoming and emerging talent.
We’re looking forward to welcoming audiences again for this 15th edition of the festival –
celebrating contemporary fiction as well as remembering those that have greatly left their mark
and legacy on the international literary world.’
Beloved Irish poet, Michael Longley will be celebrated in an event led by Belfast Book Festival
patron and poet Paul Muldoon, joined by Frances Tomelty, Bernard MacLaverty, Susannah
Dickey and James Conor Patterson who will share a series of readings of Longley’s work,
spanning the decades of his career.
The literacy legacy of Edna O’Brien will be commemorated as leading authors and filmmakers
discuss their favourite O’Brien texts. Chaired by literary journalist and editor Alex Clark,
panellists include Sinéad O’Shea, (director of Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story), authors
Eimear McBride, Eoin McNamee and Jan Carson. The discussion aims to appeal to Edna
fans as well as new readers keen to explore her work and literary legacy.
Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, says:
‘As principal funder through our National Lottery funds, the Arts Council is proud to support The
Crescent Arts Centre in staging Northern Ireland’s leading annual literature festival. There is
such a great range of brilliant book-related events and activities for audiences of all types to
enjoy. We welcome the fantastic opportunity that the Belfast Book Festival creates for rising
local literary talent to showcase their work alongside a programme of established writers.’
There’s a continued celebration of local writing as Martin Doyle, Declan Meade and Tara
McEvoy take part in Short Stories from the North, a promising lively debate on the past, present
and future of the Northern Irish short story, exploring literary style, Irish identity and humour.
New talent will be celebrated with the announcement of the Mairtín Crawford Awards, which
recognises new writers working towards their first full collection of poetry and short stories.
Emerging wordsmiths are also supported via developmental strand of workshops that offer
expert advice on pitching perfect, portfolio reviews, writing for Substack and self publishing, as
well as a series of seminars led by established authors such as renowned novelist Tessa
Hadley. As ever, the Festival will celebrate the current Seamus Heaney Fellows – with author
Jan Carson, poet Fiona Benson, and screenwriters Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson taking
stage this year.
Children’s event highlights include an afternoon with Paul Linnet, co-creator of the bestselling
Supertato picture books, Linnet will lead a session that guarantees silly songs and a read-along
veggie adventure for all the family. Author and broadcaster, Babita Sharma returns with her
much-loved series Adventures of Priya Mistry and there is also a very special opportunity to
hear from Oliver Jeffers, multi-award winning picture book creator and author of books such as
The Day the Crayons Quit, How to Catch a Star and What We’ll Build.
For the adults in the room who enjoy a bit of gore, it’s murder most horrid with a series of crime
events including in conversations with authors Andrea Carter (The Inishowen Mysteries) and
Brian McGilloway who will discuss their latest novels with Neil Hegarty. Whilst Agatha Christie
expert Mark Aldrige talks with Jan Carson on the everlasting lure of Miss Marple and how
Christie is a true expert on wickedness.
Art lovers, be sure to check out The Art of Translation, the festival’s exhibition curated by
illustrator and Head of Design at Atlantic Books, Anna Morrison (who fittingly attended art
classes at The Crescent as a teenager). This exhibition offers a fantastic snapshot of
international book design via leading Irish writers, presented in collaboration with Literature
Ireland.
To mark the Festival’s programme launch, audiences are encouraged to ‘Take a Shelfie’ on
Thursday 1 May sharing a selfie beside a selection of their favourite books and posting it
across their social media channels with the hashtag #BelfastBookFestival – making sure to tag
The Crescent for a chance to win a selection of books from this year’s programming.
The full Belfast Book Festival programme and event details can be found at:
www.belfastbookfestival.com with all tickets available on a pay-what-you-decide scale.