A MEIDRIM actress is to tread the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival later this month.

Holly Kenyon, 29, is to attend the festival in France for the premiere of The Kindness of Strangers, in which she plays the role of Beatrice, a French bar worker who helps track down a would-be murderer.

The festival runs from Sunday to Sunday, May 23, with the big premiere on Friday, May 21.

In the film, the main character races across Europe searching for his best friend who is accused of killing his sister.

The film has been produced by Queen Bee Films and directed by Deborah Hadfield.

In 2008, Holly appealed to Carmarthen Journal readers for financial help to allow her to attend a Californian drama academy, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (Amda), in Los Angeles.

Now, following her performance in the murder thriller, Holly will get the opportunity to rub shoulders with the glitterati of Hollywood and European film.

She said: "I'm just getting ready for the red carpet events.

"It's very exciting.

"I'm just making sure I have a fantastic wardrobe — I can't be in the same outfit twice.

"It's the most prestigious film festival in the world.

"I'm preparing for the fact we're going to be there with the most famous stars in Hollywood — it's happened so quickly."

While working on the film, Holly had some interesting experiences, including working with David Prowse — who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars films — who took on the role of the father of the murdered girl.

The movie was filmed on locations across Europe including Amalfi, Rome, Passo Oscuro, Monte Carlo, Cannes, the Alps, Paris, Dover, Burton, Hoar Cross and Swadlincote.

However, despite all these exotic locations in the film, the locations for Holly's role were somewhat more prosaic.

"I, unfortunately, didn't travel much, 'Paris' was filmed in Staffordshire," said Holly.

Holly is already planning her next step: "I'm currently in negotiations to take on more of a lead role in their next film."

Despite her blossoming career on the silver screen, Holly is still a Meidrim girl at heart.

"I get back whenever I can.

"I've been staying in London lately, but I loathe it.

"I'm working all over the UK at the moment.

"I still call Meidrim home, but I live out of a suitcase most of the time.

"I'm just having to be in many places."