This event is in partnership with BBC Digital Cities Virtual. Check out their full programme of events 24 - 26 November here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/digitalcities/

Making a feature-length documentary set in Belfast and Derry that includes emotive issues such as suicide, LGBTQ+ rights and the unsolved disappearance of children, as well as following a family and a partner’s ongoing quest for justice for the murder of their loved one, wouldn’t ever be easy. But imagine if the murder victim - the person to whom these issues meant everything, and who in turn meant the world to her family and partner - was someone you, the documentary maker, also knew and loved. Lyra Mckee.

“I’ve spent most of my career working on difficult stories, but this one is personal. For almost a year I have heard her voice and absorbed her writing and dictaphone recordings to enable me to reflect what was in her heart and curious mind. I also had to relive her death.

As the investigation progressed I filmed her heart-broken family and partner as they tried to navigate their way through their personal loss and try to retain some faith in the legal system that the killer/ killers would be brought to justice.

Summary

Alison, her editor, Chloe Lambourne and Channel 4 Commissioning Editor Siobhan Sinnerton, will discuss how this deeply affecting film has been made - through tears, lockdown and determination - and how Lyra’s spirit has permeated the film. Showcasing her beautiful writing and tenacious journalism, as well as her charm and humour, the film features the unique personal archive held by Lyra’s family. The project has brought together an array of local and international talent, including the impeccable scoring of David Holmes, the support of Greg Darby at Yellow Moon, Northern Ireland Screen , Executive Producers Andrew Eaton and Sam Collyns, and the incredible photographs of community photographer Sean McKeranan.

Even throughout this awful year, people have got behind the project to help do Lyra justice.