Michael Flatley has been awarded Best Actor at the Monaco Streaming Film Festival for his role in his film Blackbird. The film, which was also written, directed, and financed by Flatley, made its debut at the festival this week after it experienced Covid-related delays.

Blackbird tells the story of a retired intelligence operative who is attempting to live a quiet life running a hotel in Barbados. However, after an old friend turns up at his establishment, the former agent finds himself entangled in his old life. The film was shot on location four years ago. It stars Irish actor Patrick Bergin (Sleeping With the Enemy) and Eric Roberts (The Expendables).

Flatley told Variety "I am absolutely over the moon with the best actor award. I wanted to make a modern movie reminiscent of old Hollywood. The classics were always entertaining without being excessively violent or complicated."

Flatley owns properties in each of the locations where Blackbird is set. “We shot the movie in Barbados, Ireland, and London, capturing some of the most cinematically picturesque locations on film, all of which have a special place in my heart," he said.

Whilst the Monaco Streaming Film Festival is utilising streaming to host an international festival anyone can attend, there have been some technical difficulties.

The wait for Blackbird continues. The only way to see it at the Monaco Streaming Film Festival is by getting to the Grimaldi Forum by 8pm local time tonight.

— John Maguire (@JMaguireCritic) July 5, 2021

Okaaaaaay. My man @JMaguireCritic has just heard back from Monaco. BLACKBIRD is *not* available to stream tonight after all. That was an hour of excitement.

— 🥃Donald Clarke🎥 (@DonaldClarke63) July 5, 2021

Whilst the film is yet to be viewed by an Irish audience, Monaco Streaming Film Festival founder Tony Davis told Variety it was an honour to screen Blackbird at the event. “Michael Flatley’s debut feature film is such a pleasant surprise – he brings his renowned stage presence and energy, which we have all experienced over the past 25 years, to the big screen in a gripping romantic thriller,” he told Variety.

The festival runs from July 3-6.