This week sees the UK premiere of Shooting For Socrates at the Belfast Film Festival before it goes on general release on 12 June. It’s going to be an exciting night for me personally – not only for the film – but, as a football fan, at the prospect of meeting some of the players who are portrayed in the movie and the fact that the actual World Cup trophy (I’m sure under heavy security) will be in attendance! Shooting for Socrates is a David vs Goliath story set in Belfast against the backdrop of the 1986 World Cup. Starring John Hannah (Four Weddings and a Funeral) as Billy Bingham, Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones) as Jackie Fullerton and Bronagh Gallagher (The Commitments), it tells the story of great days in
Northern Ireland’s football history through the eyes of players, fans and the media.
I play Spud, a die hard fan who, with his partner in crime Wigsy, try everything to follow their heroes to Mexico for the 86 World Cup finals. (Probably like most Northern Ireland fans at the moment who are working out how to get to France 2016). 
A rough cut of the film was shown to FIFA delegates last year and it’s a credit to the actors portraying the 86 Northern Ireland team and to David Campbell’s choreography that the delegates thought reconstructions of the 3 games Northern Ireland had were archive footage from the time! Hope to see some of you at the premiere – it’s going to be a great night!!! Tickets for the premiere on 24 April at 8pm can be bought from Belfast Film Festival. Shooting for Socrates goes on general release from 12 June.
Chris Patrick-Simpson 