For this special event at Belfast Book Festival, we’re delighted to welcome novelists Wendy Erskine and Phil Harrison, and director Tolu Ogunware to discuss their creative work on contemporary Belfast. Chaired by Belfast Book Festival Patron Glenn Patterson.

Following her renowned short-story collections, Dance Move and Sweet Home, Wendy’s polyphonic novel The Benefactors captures a cacophony of Belfast voices.  

Phil’s acclaimed novel, Silverback, journeys through Belfast courtrooms, pubs and boxing halls to explore class and masculinity. 

Tolu’s BBC documentary, Black, Northern Irish and Proud, shares frank, first-hand accounts from citizens in Belfast and across Northern Ireland. 

Meet the panelists

Wendy Erskine is the author of two prize-winning short-story collections, Sweet Home and Dance Move. She edited the anthology well I just kind of like it about art in the home. She is a frequent broadcaster and interviewer, and works as a secondary school teacher in Belfast. Her debut novel, The Benefactors, was longlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize, and shortlisted for best novel at the Irish Book Awards, and best audio novel at the British Audio Awards. It was awarded Waterstones Best Irish Book of 2025. A film based on the short story Nostalgie was recently shortlisted for a BAFTA and won an IFTA.

Phil Harrison is an author and film editor based in Belfast. He has published two novels, The First Day (2017) and Silverback (2024). Recent film projects include No Mean City (2025) and Magilligan (2026).  

Tolu Ogunware is a Nigerian-British artist, filmmaker and photographer based in Belfast. Tolu’s work often explores identity, belonging and community. Known for his striking visual storytelling, Tolu creates portraits and films that celebrate marginalized voices and challenge cultural narratives. His documentary Black, Northern Irish, and Proud aired on BBC in 2022. His photography has also featured in multiple publications such as British journal of photography. His work has been exhibited in NAE Nottingham, Photo Museum Ireland and OPW Dublin. Tolu blends technical craft with social consciousness. His practice centers on amplifying underrepresented communities.