Northern Ireland Screen's Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund (USBF), in partnership with the Celtic Media Festival, hosted a special reception at Belfast City Hall this week to showcase a major slate of television and digital projects marking the 250th anniversary of the USA's Declaration of Independence.
The event brought together broadcasters, producers, historians, creatives, civic representatives and international guests to explore the Ulster-Scots contribution to the founding and development of the United States.
Guests were welcomed by the newly installed Lord Mayor, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, followed by remarks from USBF Chair Dr Frank Ferguson and a keynote address from author, historian and former US Ambassador David McKean, who also presents the RTÉ documentary Freedom Founder – Thomas McKean and the American Revolution, produced by Northern Star Pictures. Attendees were given a preview of the film alongside other upcoming productions in the USA 250 slate during the evening.
Watch Northern Ireland Screen's Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund USA Showreel 2026
The USA 250 slate is rolling out across 2025–2027, reflecting the historical, cultural and creative links between Ulster and the United States. Productions highlighted during the evening included the BBC Northern Ireland documentaries Declaration – The Road to Revolution and The Road to Democracy, as well as The Band series 4, produced by DoubleBand Films.
Other productions featured were How Sweet the Sound produced by Chapterhouse Films; UTV's Mahon's Way series 6 from Westway Film Productions; the GB News documentary series Architects of America produced by Féinics Productions; and NVTV productions Carrick to the Carolinas, Along Black River – The Witherspoon Chronicle and the forthcoming Amazing Ulster Americans series.
The event also highlighted educational multimedia projects including From Ulster to America produced by Educational Voice, America’s Ulster Story from the Nerve Centre, and The Ulster-Scots in America produced by Makematic.
The event featured live music performances from Reuben and Benjamin Agnew and traditional piping from Grahame Harris; while guests had the opportunity to view a special USA-NI 250 exhibition developed in partnership with Ulster University.
Dr Frank Ferguson, Chair of the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund, said: "It was fantastic to attend and speak at the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund & USA 250 event at the Celtic Media Festival. In such a special year it was very fitting to celebrate the amazing array of productions that the Fund has helped enable to commemorate the signing of the American Declaration of Independence. It was a very special moment to witness the range, depth and talent portrayed in the sector. And it was profoundly satisfying to have the splendid backdrop of Belfast City Hall to acknowledge the vision, hard work and success of so many gifted storytellers."
Historian and former US Ambassador David McKean said: "I thoroughly enjoyed the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund & USA 250 event at City Hall. I was especially honoured to speak and share how fortunate I feel to have visited Northern Ireland and taken part in the making of the film Founder and Freedom Fighter: Thomas McKean and the American Revolution."
Heidi McAlpin, Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund Manager at Northern Ireland Screen, added: "USA 250 is allowing us to tell stories that have often been overlooked, stories that show the scale of the Ulster-Scots contribution to the shaping of America, from politics and migration to music, culture and identity. Through the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund, it is especially exciting to see local producers, filmmakers and creatives bringing these stories to life for audiences here and internationally."
The Celtic Media Festival, which marked its 47th year and returned to Belfast for the first time in 23 years, provided an international backdrop for the event, bringing together delegates for a programme of panel discussions, screenings and industry events celebrating Celtic languages, cultures and creative talent.
Image: (L-R) Áine Walsh, Chair of the Celtic Media Festival; Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen; Heidi McAlpin, Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund Manager; Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, Lord Mayor of Belfast; musician Grahame Harris; and historian and former US Ambassador David McKean at Belfast City Hall. Credit: Jim Corr Photography.
