Alison Millar, award-winning film-maker, on documentaries and press freedom in Northern Ireland

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In this week's episode, we talk to Alison Millar. Born and raised in the Northern Irish countryside, the multi award-winning film-maker started her film and television career at the National Film & Television School in London in the early 90s. In 2010 she returned to Belfast to set up Erica Starling Productions Ltd and went on to work with BBC One, Two, Three and Four, Channel Four, Channel Five and RTE One.

She has earnt praises, and awards, for her rigorousness and sensitivity in filming difficult subjects and giving a voice to those who are most vulnerable.

Our conversation spans from what it takes to be a a working-class woman journalist, determined to get to the truth. We go into the issue of safety and the very real consequences of losing local media outlets. We also explore curiosity and honesty in journalism, duty of care and observational filmmaking.

With her latest documentary LYRA, we step into the life of esteemed investigative journalist Lyra McKee and what led to her death in 2019 in Derry. This very poignant film was executively produced by Hillary Rodham Clinton's HiddenLight Productions and has received critical acclaim and international awards. It was released in Spring 2023 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this film - Lyra this is for you❤️Please come see it Uk & Ireland cinema dates released v soon. pic.twitter.com/2PSK2gCD3y

— alison millar (@ericastarling1) October 11, 2022

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