Leading Irish film and TV actor Moe Dunford is the new Patron of the Irish Film Festival London (IFFL), the world’s largest international Irish film festival.

Dunford, best-known for playing Aethelwulf in acclaimed TV series Vikings, is one of the rising stars of a new generation of Irish acting talent.

He announced his new role as Patron of the IFFL after an appeara nce on RTE Radio’s Ryan Tubridy Show on Tuesday morning (20 August 2019).

The IFTA The Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) is an all-Ireland organisation with a Membership of 1,240 individuals across 14 Chapters of Discipline. and EPF Shooting Star award-winning Dungarvan actor joins Hollywood star Colin Farrell, Academy Award-nominated director Lenny Abrahamson and distinguished casting director Ros Hubbard as one of the patrons of Irish Film London Irish Film London runs events through the year, including the film section of the St. Patrick's Day Festival with the Mayor of London and the annual Irish Film ... More (IFL), which produces the IFFL every year.

I’m delighted and very honoured to be asked to join the prestigious list of patrons for Irish Film London which has been successfully promoting Irish film talent in the UK for over nine years now. The IFL has helped to raise the profile of so many great Irish film makers, creatives and actors in the UK over the years. Moe Dunford

Now in its ninth year, Irish Film London presents the latest and greatest of Irish film and animation to UK audiences. Events include the film section of the St. Patrick’s Day Festival with the Mayor of London, and the annual Irish Film London Awards, culminating in the five-day Irish Film Festival London in November each year.

Moe is a wonderful inspiration for anyone starting their career as an actor. He has worked so hard, and so consistently for many years, showing his dedication to the craft and the industry. We’ve also seen him champion many younger, or unknown filmmakers, making time for the smallest short films alongside his busy TV and feature shooting schedules. If ever there was a good example for the phrase, ‘He’s a credit to his mother’, it’s Moe. Kelly O’Connor, Founder – Irish Film London

This year you can catch Moe in the Short Films programme, screening at the 9th Irish Film Festival London, 20th – 24th November, at Regent Street Cinema. He will also attend the annual Irish Film London Awards on Tuesday 12th November at the Embassy of Ireland.

Dunford graduated from the Gaiety School of Acting in 2009 and made his TV debut in the historical drama, The Tudors. His big screen breakthrough was Terry McMahon’s Patrick’s Day (2014). He has become one of Ireland’s most in demand actors.

In 2018 alone he starred in Lance Daly’s revenge thriller Black ’47, Hugh O’Conor’s directorial debut Metal Heart, Andy Tohill and Ryan Tohill’s dark drama The Digand the critically acclaimed Rosie Rosie is a contemporary drama directed by Paddy Breathnach from a script by Roddy Doyle, and starring Sarah Greene and Moe Dunford. written by Roddy Doyle and directed by Paddy Breathnach.

Dunford will next hit UK and Irish screens in the RTE/BBC six-part crime drama Dublin Murders, which airs this autumn.

I’m hugely flattered to be asked to join Lenny Abrahamson, Colin Farrell and Ros Hubbard as one of the IFL patrons to support IFL’s terrific work and I’m looking forward to supporting as many IFL events as possible in the coming years! Moe Dunford

For more information, please visit www.irishfilmlondon.com