Dungarvan actor Moe Dunford has praised Waterford’s scenery after filming in his home county for the first time in his professional career.

The Vikings star recently returned to the Déise to work on the short film Rith Maith in An Rinn, describing the experience as a special one.

‘I was just looking around the cliff edge down in the Gaeltacht one day and I was looking over the edge where I used to cliff jump as a 16 year-old and I was thinking ‘Jesus, isn’t Waterford beautiful?’ he said.

Dunford said members of the crew were also struck by the landscape, with many taking photos and videos of the area.

‘I was just giddy, working down in the place I love. I was like that 16-year old, they had to tell me to cop on!’

The film is directed and written by Oisin Mistéal, who previously worked with Dunford on the Irish-language feature Báithe.

Dunford said short films played an important role in the early stages of his own career and he is now encouraging people locally to support the Waterford International Film Festival.

The festival is marking its 20th anniversary this year.

‘We need more reasons to have events for communities to get together rather than lack of reasons,’ he said.

‘Waterford International Film Festival is one such reason where I don’t believe it’s just open to those who have been working in film for years but it’s open to people from everywhere and anywhere and of all experiences.’

Dunford said regional film festivals also help ensure Waterford is not overlooked as a location for film and creative work.

‘We have a lot to offer in terms of location, in terms of imagination,’ he said.

‘I think that’s something to be proud of and a good reason to get together.’

Moe Dunford is a patron of this year’s Waterford International Film Festival, which will stream more than 100 films from around the world between November 15 and 21.

WLR has partnered with the festival this year, with listeners able to use the code WLRFM for a 10% discount on an online festival pass.