The Playhouse showcaseslocal short films

The “The Andy Porter Retrospective”, on Tuesday, February 7, will be a rare opportunity to see such work on the big screen.

Short-films scheduled for the line-up include “Aquaphobic” by Belfast filmmaker Matt Curry and written by and starring Portrush actor Barry Etherson. The film was officially selected for the Cork Film Festival and the Belfast Film Festival.

Also being featured is Portstewart filmmaker Patrick Trolan’s award-winning “Considering Carol”. Made last year, the film won First Prize Documentary at the Short and Sweet Film Festival in Maidstone.

It also won the Skillset Best Postgraduate Award and Best Director and Best Documentary at the Canterbury Film Festival.

Ballymoney writer and filmmaker Philip Henry’s award-nominated “Dated” (2011) and “Working Late” (2011) are also on the bill.

Dated was recently screened on the BBC Big Screen in Belfast and Londonderry. Both films are continuing their festival runs.

There will also be a chance to see the award-winning 2011 film “Faithful” by the Ballymoney filmmaker, Jonathan Steele.

Included in the diverse bill are:

* “Hardy Hands” (2011) by Chris Baugh and starring Portrush actor Andy Porter. Hardy Hands was recently commended at the Belfast Film Festival, officially selected for the Foyle Film Festival and was picked up for International Distribution by Shorts International. It is continuing its festival run.

* Coleraine filmmaker Ruth Moore’s “Kaleidoscope” (2007). Kaleidoscope was shot in Prague during Ruth’s time at the PCFE Film School.

* Ballymoney filmmaker Tim Austin will premiere two films, “The Native” (2011) and “Caffé/Amore” (2012).

* “Photograph” (2008) by Portrush filmmakers Steven and Wayne Benson. Photograph was nominated for Best International Short Film at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival and was subsequently screened in New York and Los Angeles.

The evening will conclude with an exclusive preview of the Bensons’ new project called “Tosser” (2012).

There’s free entry to the Andy Porter Retrospective which starts at 8pm.