A new short film depicting the experiences of women in the criminal justice system will premiere at Belfast’s Crumlin Road Gaol. ‘Bubble’, written and directed by Belfast playwright Patricia Downey, was shot on location inside Maghaberry Prison.

Adapted from Downey’s award-winning stage play ‘Runny Honey’, the film addresses themes including addiction, mental health, domestic abuse and the wider impact of crime. Downey said the project aims to give a voice to women whose stories are often misunderstood, in the hope of building greater public empathy.

The production was funded by the Department of Justice’s Assets Recovery Community Scheme, which reinvests money recovered from criminal activity into community initiatives. The Northern Ireland Prison Service collaborated to enable filming inside the prison.

Beverley Wall, Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, described the film as an honest and compassionate portrayal of hidden realities. She added that creative work can play a powerful role in rehabilitation by encouraging understanding of the human stories behind the justice system.

Following the premiere, the film is to be submitted to festivals across Ireland and internationally. The screening at Crumlin Road Gaol, a historic former prison, provides a symbolic backdrop for a work grounded in the consequences of crime and the possibility of change.