From small beginnings the festival grew through the 1960s and 1970s, expanding to a two-week-long event.
The festival is held at several venues across the city, including the The MAC, Ulster Hall, the Naughton Gallery, the Queen's Film Theatre, the Brian Friel Theatre and the Whitla Hall at Queen's, as well as the Grand Opera House, the Waterfront Hall and An Chultúrlann arts centre.