Search for 'Belfast's Billy Elliot'

Jamie Bell shot to fame as a dancer in Billy Elliot

A quest to find the next 'Billy Elliot' among Northern Ireland's young band of actors is set to take place in Belfast.

Auditions for a new film set in the city will be held in the Waterfront Hall on Saturday and Sunday.

Movie producers are seeking boys aged 7-12 to star in Jonjo Mickybo, which is set in Belfast in the 1970s.

Film publicists said it tells the moving story of young boys who go through major changes in their lives with a large amount of adventure on the way.

The starring roles for two young Northern Ireland actors are still to be filled.

Film producers Mark Huffam and Mike McGeagh said they were setting their sights firmly on finding the lead actors "on home ground".

They will be in almost every scene of the film, and it will be a lot of hard work for young actors

Mark Huffam
Producer

They are hoping the boys will follow on the success of Jamie Bell who shot to fame in Billy Elliot.

Bell became an international sensation with his screen debut as the ballet dancing youngster.

"We are looking for talented and enthusiastic local boys to fill the two key roles in this film", said Mark, who produced The Hours, Captain Corelli's Mandolin and Johnny English.

"They will be in almost every scene of the film, and it will be a lot of hard work for young actors, but we're determined to discover local talent and maintain the integrity of a story that is very close to our hearts".

'Undiscovered stars'

Writer and director Terry Loane said the two lead characters, Jonjo and Mickybo, did not have to sing or dance, but just had to be "believable wee boys from Northern Ireland".

"We know that young actors may have little or no experience, which is why we want to see anyone that is interested in being in the film," he said.

The film's producer was behind the hit movie Notting Hill

"We want to see boys aged between 7 and 12, even if they've never acted before. We're sure our undiscovered stars are out there, we just have to find them."

Jonjo Mickybo is adapted from the award-winning play Mojo-Mickybo by Owen McCafferty.

It is being produced by Belfast's New Moon Pictures and Working Title Films in London - the company responsible for Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones' Diary and Billy Elliot.

The open auditions will be held at the Waterfront Hall on Saturday from 1000 BST to 1700 BST and Sunday from 1100-1700 BST. Every child must be accompanied by an adult.