Northern Irish movie to be shown at US film festival

20 January 2009 -

A movie filmed in Northern Ireland will be aired at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival this month.

Waveriders, which was co-produced by Derry-based Besom Productions, is a feature documentary on a surfer who originates from Northern Ireland.

It follows the story of George Freeth who reintroduced the art of waveriding in Hawaii and became a legendary surfer and lifeguard.

The US screening will take place on January 28th at 19:30 local time in the Arlington theatre.

Waveriders' premiere was held at the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival 2008, where it picked up the audience award for best film and praise from critics.

The film was financed from a partnership between Northern Ireland Screen, BBC Northern Ireland, the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and The Irish Film Board.

Waverider's success follows the news that Connor Clements from Scarva in County Down will have his work shown at the Sundance Film Festival.

He will be the first Northern Irish man to show his work at the Utah festival after writing and directing the short movie James as part of his degree.