NI Connections

Huddling around the TV to watch a Christmas movie is as quintessential a part of the festive season as mince pies, wrapping presents and festive pints with your mates. Are Christmas movies mainly marketed at kids? Are you often able to pick apart the plot, see through the characters and predict the ending within the first five minutes? Also, yes. But do we love how they bring out a sense of magic and childhood wonder in even the Scroogiest of adult Scrooges? Yes. We. Do. Every year we cosy up and enjoy a familiar rotation of classics, laughing at Kevin making his family disappear like it’s the first time. But if you’re looking for a festive film that’s not set in New York City in the snow, check out one of these brilliant locally made movies.

They will simultaneously get you into the festive spirit and remind you of home, and they’re perfect for little, middle-sized and big kids alike.

The Heist Before Christmas

Let’s kick off proceedings with the most recent of the bunch. ‘The Heist Before Christmas’ was released on Christmas Eve in 2023.

In a captivating blend of comedy, drama and festive magic, our very own James Nesbitt stars alongside Harry Potter actor Timothy Spall and a range of up-and-coming young Northern Irish actors.

None more impressive than Bamber Todd, who plays 12-year-old Mikey Collins, a poor, Christmas-hating kid, who crosses paths with not one, but two Santa Clauses. One white-haired, Norwegian-speaking and in search of spiritual solitude, and the other a cunning, bank-robbing felon in disguise  (think Billy Bob Thornton in Bad Santa).

While it features amusing performances and slapstick humour throughout, we love that the movie also shines a light on poverty and inspires people to look out for others during the busy festive season.  

In the words of Bad Santa himself…

“I’m delighted to be involved in a Christmas movie for the first time. And for it to be set here? Brilliant.”

We’re delighted too, Jimmy!  

The Heist Before Christmas features various Northern Irish locations, but was primarily shot in the Turf Lodge housing estate in Belfast.

Check out the trailer above and stream on NOW TV.

A Christmas Dream

This magical festive flick was a (Christmas) dream come true for the students at Moyraverty Arts and Drama Society.

Although A Christmas Dream is a smaller scale production than the others on the list, it’s by no means less impressive.

Filmed in various locations around Craigavon, Lurgan and Portadown, the movie premiered back in December 2021 and featured a talented cast and crew of 150 people, the youngest of which just five years old.

The stars of the show were Sophie Doyle from Aghagallon, a pupil of Our Lady’s Newry, and Jake Watters from Lurgan, who attends Lisburn Tech.

It tells the story of a local teenage girl who has always dreamt of going to a top-class musical theatre school in London and it’s all about having the courage to follow your dreams no matter what.

The kind of heartwarming stuff that all good Christmas movies are made of!

How good is it to see home-grown Northern Irish talent shine on an international stage?

(Answer: very good).

A Christmas Star

Last but certainly not least, we have Northern Ireland’s first ever locally produced Christmas movie.

According to an online review, A Christmas Star is ‘a pleasant hour and a half in the company of beautiful Northern Irish scenery and some high-profile cameos that support Noelle and her gang of misfit friends.’

We like the sound of that, don’t you?

The beautiful scenery in question includes various picturesque areas in Glenarm and Belfast, and the high-profile cameos speak of none other than Ballymena-born Liam Neeson and Navan-native Pierce Brosnan.

Set in the fictional village of Pottersglen, A Christmas Star follows a young and spirited girl called Noelle who, born in dramatic circumstances under the Christmas Star, believes she has the gift to perform remarkable miracles.

But the most remarkable thing about this movie is that it was created by Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People – a charity that gives young amateurs an opportunity to work with and learn from the best in the biz.

(No, seriously. Think Hollywood, Los Angeles, not Holywood, County Down.)

Mentors included award-winning film composer Patrick Doyle (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), music supervisor Maggie Rodford, (The King’s Speech), camera operator Ian Fox (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), producer Iain Smith (Children of Men, Mad Max: Fury Road) and loads more big names.

Over 40 young people aged 18-25 from a wide range of backgrounds, religions and cultures were involved in the making of A Christmas Star.

Talk about breaking glass ceilings!

Cinemagic's Joan Burney Keatings stated ‘the objective is to show young people that anything is possible when you work hard, you dream, and you don't give up.’

(Joan was a previous guest on our favourite Best of Belfast podcast, sharing all about her fascinating journey in the film industry. Check out the episode here.)

A Christmas Star is available to watch on Sky or Amazon Prime. 

And that’s a wrap!

Wherever you are in the world this December we strongly recommend that you light the fire, make yourself a hot chocolate, put your feet up and tune in to one of these brilliant locally produced movies. (Fire and hot chocolate not applicable if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, obviously).

These festive films will help to activate your Christmas spirit, and the familiar accents, scenery and nostalgia of Christmases at home are guaranteed a put a big ‘ole smile on your face.

Let us know where in the world you’re watching from – we’re always delighted to hear from our Northern Irish diaspora around the world. And if you’re keen to find out more about how the Film & TV industry is doing at home (it’s booming, btw) head over to Northern Ireland Screen to check out the incredible job roles and training opportunities available.