Lyra McKee documentary premiered at Belfast Film Festival

By Q Radio News

A feature documentary about murdered journalist Lyra McKee has been screened for the first time at the Belfast Film Festival.

The 29-year-old was gunned down while she observed rioting in the Creggan area in Derry/Londonderry in April 2019. 

The New IRA has admitted responsibility for Lyra's death. 

The film examines Lyra's life, work and untimely death through her own voice and words, featuring voice recordings of Ms McKee from her phone and dictaphone, as well as family footage. 

Lyra McKee

It was created by Alison Millar who's not only an award winning director but also a friend of Lyra's. 

She told Q Radio making the documentary was a labour of love in tribute to a close friend. 

"I first met Lyra when she was 17 and we were really good friends. 

"She had written a lot about me in her work so after she was killed, I talked to her family and her partner Sarah, and I thought if anyone is going to make a film about her it's going to be me. 

"She liked my films so I thought, you know, I'm going to do it. 

"I really wanted to tell her story in her own words and her voice so Lyra actually had the chance to say what she wanted to say.

"I couldn't have made the film without Lyra's family, her sister Nichola, her partner Sara and her friends. 

"They not only helped me and point me in the right direction, they really helped me understand Lyra's childhood growing up but also helped with the archive. 

"They've been helpful from day one. 

"They actually kind of persuaded me to do it in a way but they have been incredible, they're just amazing people." 

Lyra McKee's sister Nichola Corner

Centre - Lyra McKee's partner Sara Canning

Ms Millar said while putting the film together was therapeutic, it was "hard". 

"I think probably at the time, we were all in such shock so it was a good thing to do. 

"It was kind of like making a shrine in a way for someone, you often put candles up and pictures up and remember them but for me I started working on the film. 

"I think it wasn't until I finished it that it hit me. I spent all this time with her making the film and she wasn't there. 

"I guess that was hard."

The documentary 'Lyra' is due to be released early 2022. 

Alison Millar speaking to Q Radio