Eva Birthistle to Star in Dark Comedy Thriller SWANSONG, Premiering in Galway

A new feature film starring two of Ireland's leading actresses will have its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh on Saturday 11th July - with actors and director in attendance.

SWANSONG is the debut feature film of award-winning writer/director Douglas Ray, who worked as Ken Loach's assistant and has built up a reputation for his quirky short films featuring actors such as Tom Hardy, Rafe Spall and Ruth Wilson.

Swansong also stars Paul Hilton and acclaimed comedian Matt Berry, who recently won the BAFTA for Best Male performance for his role in Toast of London.

The film follows former rock star Mark, who finds out his wife has been cheating on him with a woman so embarks on an ill-advised kidnap in revenge - only to discover that he's not the real psychopath among them.

Wife Karen is played by Bray native Eva Birthistle - who has won multiple awards and starred in RTE hit Amber. Probably best known as the lead in Ken Loach's AE FOND KISS, she has starred in numerous TV and film dramas, previously winning London Film Critics Circle British Actress of the Year and twice named IFTA Best Actress in a Leading Role (Film).

Karen's lover Jamie is played by Northern Ireland's Antonia Campbell-Hughes, star of Irish feature film The Other Side of Sleep, for which she was named as a Star of Tomorrow by Screen International. She has appeared in an array of TV series, including Spooks, Lewis and the sitcom Lead Balloon.

Mark, the kidnapping husband, is played by Paul Hilton, an Olivier Award winning British stage actor who has also had roles in critically acclaimed BBC drama series including Twenty Twelve and The Crimson Field.

Matt Berry is a well-known UK comedy actor who played Douglas on Channel 4's THE IT CROWD and co-wrote and stars in Channel 4's thespian themed comedy TOAST OF LONDON, as well as being part of the ensemble, together with Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, in the BBC's HOUSE OF FOOLS.