Northern Ireland actress launches Seagate Foyle Film Festival

Flora Montgomery, one of the most exciting young talents to emerge in Irish acting circles in recent years, was in Belfast today for the launch of the 16th Seagate Foyle Film Festival.

The Festival, which this year has a new main sponsor, boasts a programme to titillate the palate of even the most seasoned film buff.

More than a score of Irish and international premieres, award winning provocative documentaries, cutting-edge masterclasses in special effects, directing, composing and acting and international short film and animation competitions will take feature at the festival.

Running from November 21–30, the Festival programme promises excitement and entertainment for everyone, from the dedicated film buff to those simply wanting to see something different on the silver screen.

For those whose interests lie in how films are created or who want a hands-on experience of the industry, the Festival offers an outstanding line up of masterclasses and workshops.

These include a presentation by Industrial Light and Magic's Director of Computer Graphics Colum Slevin; Double Negative's presentation on 'Tomb Raider II'; Spence Brothers Filmmaking Weekend; Special Effects Makeup Masterclass; a two day Stage Combat Workshop; Music and Movement Workshop; a Q & A with director Kim Longinotto and Chaille Stovall - an inspirational 14 year old filmmaker who will screen some of his short films and talk about his work.

Born in Killyleagh, Co Down, Flora Montgomery trained at the Gaiety School in Dublin and has won acclaim for numerous theatre, television and film roles.

She won the 1998 Irish Theatre Best Actress Award for her performance in 'Miss Julie', and has appeared on stage in productions of 'Hamlet' (as Ophelia), 'Gaslight', 'Private Lives' and 'Amadeus'.

Her films include starring roles in 'Benedict Arnold' with Kelsey Grammer and Aiden Quinn, 'Goldfish Memory', by Liz Gill, 'The Discovery of Heaven', by Jeroen Krabbe and the Irish box office hit 'When Brendan Met Trudy', for which she received an IFTA nomination in 2002 for Best Actress.

The Foyle Film Festival’s new main sponsor is Seagate Technology, one of the largest employers in the North West region.

(GB)