By Ryan Coney
One of the more interesting films at this year’s Foyle Film Festival star’s an actress with Down’s Syndrome.
Orla Casey an actress has been touring film festivals all over Ireland with her latest award winning short film ‘Aretha.’
Acting is a way for Orla to express herself and deal with all the difficulties of having Down’s Syndrome:
“Acting has made me more confident and stronger because it is hard at times having Down syndrome and acting is the way I can live my dreams. I express myself through acting.”
Aretha is a 12 minute short film written and directed by Dave Thomas, who beat off competition from over 70 other scripts to land funding to develop his script from the Film Offaly bursary.
Orla speaks of how great it is to meet so many like minded people within the industry and how she gets nervous sometimes but its all worth it to see herself on the big screen.
“I really enjoy the travel and going to the festivals. it is exciting going to the different cities & meeting all the film people. I do feel nervous before my film Aretha comes on but am excited and happy when it is on the big screen.”
Aretha won best short drama at the Respect Human Rights film festival in October and Orla was on hand to collect the award in Belfast.
“I felt so excited at winning the Respect Film Festival award because I never won any awards before I started in film. It was an amazing honour to achieve this dream of mine in Belfast. I have also won Film awards in Brussels and in Drogheda but Belfast was the best moment.”
Respect film festival coordinator and shorts programmer Ryan Coney said that there was only winner for the shorts drama.
“Aretha portrayed its subject matter beautifully. We were delighted that Orla was able to come to Belfast and collect the award on behalf of Dave and the team.”
Orla continues her film festival journey, next stop Waterford for the Waterford film festival, were Aretha has been officially selected.
Aretha will also run in competition at the Foyle Film Festival in Derry.
