By Izzy Bland

A former student has donated over 100 Empire Magazine editions going back over two decades to NWRC.  Many of them feature interviews with emerging directors who went on to huge success as well as iconic films including Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.

Paul McElwee from Strabane, graduated in journalism from NWRC in 2007 and went on to work in local newspapers and the BBC. But, as well as being a journalist, he has always been an avid film fan.

Paul bought his first copy of Empire magazine from his local newsagents in 2002, and began a subscription with them in 2007.

“I started to subscribe so I could get it delivered straight to my door instead of searching for a specific copy in my newsagents.”

He also attributed his fanaticism for film as another reason.

“I’m a massive film fan; I always have been.

“There’s something wonderful about going into a darkened room, leaving world behind, switching your phone off and just immersing yourself in a story which can take you anywhere.”

Paul decided to donate his collection to North West Regional College as he felt it got to a stage where it was “sitting there collecting dust”.

“I didn’t want them to end up in a landfill or anything. I needed to find somewhere that could take them.”

He contacted Suzanne Rodgers, his old journalism lecturer and she was delighted to accept his donation.

She said “This is a great resource for our Film students in particular, but also for students in other disciplines – not to mention staff. We appreciate Paul’s generosity and it is heartwarming that he still thinks fondly of us after all these years.”

After leaving the College, Paul took on work at the Ulster Herald for six weeks to fill in for someone who took ill. There, he was asked to write his first film review.

“It was my first offered journalism job, I was going to jump at it!

“After the six weeks was up, my services were no longer needed. I said I was enjoying [reviewing films], and if the paper wanted I’d keep the reviews on. They said, ‘No problem, you batter on.”

Paul is now a film reviewer for the Strabane Chronicle, and notably helped other film fans through the pandemic with his column.

“Even during the pandemic my column never stopped. I made sure to watch something on streaming every week and had a review ready for Monday morning.”

Paul’s favourite film of all time is The Godfather, and lists Three Days of the Condor, Star Wars and The French Connection as other honourable mentions.