PICTURES: Behind scenes of new Laois short film by Hollywood director

A new Laois short film shot by a retired Hollywood director is about to have a private screening in Dublin, with a potential screening in Laois to follow.

The Stones of Dunamase Castle, an 18 minute crime thriller, was shot on location on the Rock of Dunamase, an ancient Irish ruined castle between Portlaoise and Stradbally. See exclusive photos during filming. Hit NEXT or the arrows to view. Full story below.

Lead actors Aoibhinn McGinnity and Brian Moore in action on the Rock of Dunamase.

It is created by writer and director John Gray who had a long successful movie and television career in LA before retiring to Ireland. His work includes The Ghost Whisperer television series and films Grimm, Gone and Helter Skelter. With his wife, producer Melissa Peltier they now enjoy making self funded short films and entering them in international film festivals.

His latest production stars well known Irish actors; Aoibhinn McGinnity from Love/Hate, Desmond Eastwood from Blue Lights, Derry Girls and Normal People, Brian Moore from Bad Sisters 2 and Fair City, and upcoming actor, write and director Zara Burdon Yeates.

The story, playing out in "the shadow of ancient Irish ruins, centres on the aftermath of a heist that unravels into deadly betrayals as four thieves learn that trust is the most dangerous currency of all".

It will have its first private screening just for cast and crew in the Odeon Point Square in Dublin this month.

However John Gray told the Leinster Express / Laois Live how Laois people might be able to view The Stones of Dunamase Castle in time.

"The screening is to give everyone who worked so hard on it a chance to see it on the big screen in a movie theater. Right now it can only be viewed at a film festival or perhaps a screening [in Laois] if there's interest," he said.

Filming took place last summer, see our first interview with John Gray on The Rock of Dunamase here.

He said it went "really well".

"We feel great about our experience making the movie; it was one of the most interesting locations we've ever shot; a very spectacular "office" to be in every day! The weather favored us and the shoot went really well, first rate Irish crew and cast. The OPW helped us enormously, they were great to work with," John said.

The Stones of Dunamase Castle is planned to be screened around the world at film festivals.