Hundreds of free movie seats as National Lottery celebrates its 10th Birthday

Northern Ireland's movie buffs are in for a treat when, as part of its 10th Birthday celebrations, the National Lottery, in conjunction with the NIFTC, brings Ireland's only touring cinema to Belfast for the first time.

Belfast is joining in the celebrations by launching a week of free cinema screenings throughout the province. The Cinemobile, Ireland's unique mobile cinema, which was part-funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland through its Lottery programmes, will be parked in the grounds of Belfast City Hall on Sunday 19 September and giving the general public will have at the chance to watch one of Northern Ireland's own movies free-of-charge.

The schedule for the day will consist of a morning, afternoon and an evening screening of National Lottery funded Northern Irish films, each aimed at a different audience. Films include THE HONEYMOONERS and FREEZE FRAME, and the morning session, which is aimed at a younger audience will round off with including an animation workshop.

Following this from Monday through to Friday the Cinemobile will tour Northern Ireland offering screening the movies to the general public throughout the country in Castlewellan, Crossmaglen, Draperstown, Ballygawley, and Lisnaskea. The six day tour is organised by the National Lottery Promotions Unit, in conjunction with Cinemobile and the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission.

The Touring Cinema is one of a number of events taking place to celebrate the 10th year of the National Lottery and highlight the impact it has had on the lives of people in Northern Ireland. The events, which include fun days, open days, walks, a circus skills competition and a cycle, will culminate in the first ever National Lottery Day, Saturday 6 November, when special celebrations will take place simultaneously in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow and London.

Colin Anderson, chairman of the NIFTC said: "The film and television industry in Northern Ireland is now advancing rapidly and we are seeing some great work being produced by the sector locally. The NIFTC is therefore pleased to showcase this through sponsoring The National Lottery 10th Birthday Touring Cinema. This will give the public a chance to see some locally produced shorts and feature films"

Walter Rader, chair of the Northern Ireland Lottery Forum, said: "The National Lottery 10th Birthday Touring Cinema is an excellent way to demonstrate how, through the Cinemobile, lottery funding has brought cinema to people in rural areas, and to show the tremendous contribution the National Lottery has made to Northern Ireland's film industry.

"We hope those who have a chance to visit the Cinemobile on its tour enjoy this opportunity to celebrate the National Lottery's 10th Birthday in this unique way."

To apply for tickets to the Belfast launch event screenings please contact Joanne O'Connell at the NIFTC on 028 90 232444 or email Joanne@niftc.co.uk