Joshua is the small screen star on UTV

Joshua is the small screen star on UTV

16 December 2015

A LOCAL audience will have the opportunity to see a young Crossgar actor at work when UTV broadcasts the children’s film A Christmas Star on Sunday.

Budding actor Joshua Smyth features in the first children’s Christmas film made in Northern Ireland.

 Set in the picturesque village of Pottersglen in Northern Ireland, A Christmas Star follows the intrepid Noelle who believes she has the gift to perform strange miracles and in turn sets out to save her village from the threat of demolition.

 The film, produced by Cinemagic and Signature Entertainment, was a cultural project offering children the opportunity to work alongside a star-studded cast and raft of film industry professionals.

 Over 40 children were handpicked as trainee filmmakers and given intensive training in all aspects of production including directing, -editing and costume design.

 The most sought after positions though came as part of the cast with 11 local children securing a part, including Joshua.

He acts alongside a star cast that includes Pierce Brosnan, Bronagh Waugh, Kylie Minogue and Dermot O Leary. The film is narrated by Liam Neeson.

“To be bringing our audience this special Christmas film, produced right here on home soil, really is an exciting opportunity for UTV and we are delighted to have been involved in the project from the very beginning,” said Michael Wilson, managing director of UTV.

“The film has been in cinemas nationwide since November and now we have the opportunity to bring it to the heart of viewer’s homes just in time for Christmas.

“UTV will also broadcast a behind the scenes documentary about the making of the film 

‘Believe…The Making of A Christmas Star’ on Wednesday at 8pm.

 “The documentary follows the making of ‘A Christmas Star’ from Julian Fellowes first visit to Belfast to launch auditions, when over 5,000 children turned up, through to the red carpet premiere.”

A Christmas Star will be aired on Sunday at 3.15pm.