Castle Tower's Claudia is set to step out on movie red carpet

WALKING the red carpet as a film star is something that few of us will ever experience.

But the same cannot be said for a young Ballymena aspiring actress called Claudia Beatty.

Claudia is currently in her last year at Castle Tower School.

For most school leavers the film industry is but a pipe dream as a career, but Claudia has already two media productions under her belt.

Claudia has already worked with the BBC in their media production of a day in the life of a Downs young adult.

Cameras followed her around school showing the rich and full life she leads - in turn dispelling some of society’s preconceived ideas around disability.

Claudia has also starred in a short film in Castle Tower through a project sponsored by Into Film.

This will be released soon, and you will be able to see Claudia starring alongside her fellow pupils in a comedy called ‘Anna and the Ninja’ - with Claudia having the leading role as Anna!

Claudia is currently preparing for the upcoming Dublin premier of a film called ‘King Frankie’.

- The story about how she became a member of this talented cast is a story in itself.

A role came up for a teenage girl with Down Syndrome to play a small part in an Irish film, acting alongside Peter Coonan and other Irish actors.

Claudia’s drama teacher advised her to apply!

After submitting a self-tape for an initial audition for the part she was invited to the Ali Coffey casting office in Dublin.

She was cast and filmed her part in Dublin in March 2022.

In January the Director informed Claudia that the film would be included in the Dublin International Film Festival.

The DIFF was launched back in January and Claudia was invited to attend the red carpet event.

‘King Premier’ was premiered at the Lighthouse Cinema during the Festival in Dublin in March and Claudia was back on the red carpet for that, along with the Director and cast.

The film was also shown at the Galway Festival, Cork Festival and the biggest film festival in Asia - the Shanghai one.

Latest red-carpet appearance will be another promotion event for its forthcoming Irish Cinema releases.

Claudia said what she liked mot about making the film was “hanging out with other actor.”

Claudia’s school community at Castle Tower are delighted and proud of all her achievements so far - and look forward to what the future may hold for this budding talent.