The cinema is open to the public, but excels in showing films for students and cinephiles. As a showcase for new film talent the QFT shows many of the most prestigious international films, often seen for the first time in the Province. Often films are programmed with a particular interest or theme. In the past year the QFT has focused on comprehensive retrospectives of the Coen Brothers, recent Northern Irish films, and Alfred Hitchcock. Among the most recent screenings are Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, Buffalo 66, Shakespeare in Love, as well as classic cinema such as Citizen Kane, La Grande Illusion, and Blade Runner.
Reduced tickets are available to students for about the price of a pint.
In two and a half weeks each November, the Festival offers more than 200 performances in every area of the arts. Alongside major visiting orchestras and top classical musicians are to be found a wide ranging theatre programme, jazz and folk music, and a whole host of lighter events. Among many regular visitors have been the Royal Shakespeare Company and Michael Palin, whose one-man show has only ever been performed here in Belfast. There is also a chance to see the very best of offerings from the Edinburgh Fringe. Previous successes have included the National Theatre, the Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Swedish Ballet, Jo Brand, Van Morrison, Fascinating Aida, Philip Glass and Adam Bloom.