#WeAreQFT: Simeon Costello

You are stuck at home and your favourite cinema is closed. What five films do you
watch?

That’s really difficult because I’d like to tell you five cool films I’ve watched so far but actually
I’ve watched a lot of terrible films (and a few good films) on Netflix so far… I’ll definitely end
up watching Back to the Future (1985), Stand by Me (1986), Chef (2014), Hot Fuzz (2007), and probably some Marvel
films.

What three words would you use to describe QFT?

Best cinema ever.

What is your earliest cinema-going memory?

My dad was a projectionist at this small cinema in Swanage and my earliest memory of
going to the cinema was going to see A Bugs Life (1998) and getting to sit in the projection booth
and watch the film start. I remember being really annoyed because I could only see the film
playing through this tiny window… I hadn’t quite started to appreciate cinema just yet!

What is your guilty pleasure film?

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008). It’s actually a good film. And I will stand by that
forever!

What is your favourite film soundtrack?

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty soundtrack is filled with great music. David Bowie, Of
Monsters and Men, covers of The Human League and Rupert Holmes. Some great tunes,
and great driving music too.

What is the best thing about going to the cinema?

The whole experience of watching something in the cinema is better than at home. At home
I’m distracted, I end up looking at my phone and not paying attention. In the cinema it’s dark
and the picture and sound are incredible. Cinema popcorn too beats any kind of snacks you
have at home.

Do you have a special place in the cinema where you always sit?

I’m not fussed where I’m sat as long as I’m not close by someone who’s rustling or talking!

Who is your favourite film villain?

For the Belfast Film Festival we were asked to pick our favourite film villain for the brochure
and I chose Lord Farquaad from Shrek (2001)…In hindsight I would have gone for The Greasy
Strangler (2016). That’s one good villain.

What is your favourite movie quote?

Daniel Day Lewis in There Will Be Blood (2007): “You’re just the afterbirth, Eli. You slithered out of
your mother’s filth. They should have put you in a glass jar on the mantelpiece.” What a line!

Saturday 4th April is now officially known as Belfast Film Festival Sofa Shorts Day! You hit the sofa and the festival will bring the shorts…..films that is. What you wear is up to you!

This is how it works. For one day only (Saturday 4th April) you will be able to view all 14 ‘in competition’ shorts and 7 ‘official selection’ shorts. Simply visit www.belfastfilmfestival.org between 10am and midnight to view all 21 films at your leisure.

Join Belfast Film Festival on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram throughout the day on Saturday 4th April to share your thoughts about the films, meet the filmmakers and share in a collective experience using the hashtag #bffsofashorts.

The winner of the ‘in competition’ programme will be announced by the judging panel on Sunday 5th April at midday and will receive a prize of £500. The winning film will then be available to watch for a further 2 hours from midday to 2pm.