Donegal's teenage acting star Art Parkinson talks showbiz, school, and his exciting plans for 2017.

Actor Art Parkinson has been making the headlines regularly this month as his latest movie picks up the most prestigious nominations in Hollywood and around the world.

The animated adventure Kubo and the Two Strings has just been nominated for a BAFTA award, which is just one more accolade to add to its success.

Art voices Kubo, the main character of the film. At the age of 15, Art has already had an exciting acting career and rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names in showbiz – including the cast of Game of Thrones and his Kubo co-stars Matthew McConaughey, Charlize Theron and Ralph Fiennes.

Kubo and the two strings premiere?

A photo posted by Art Parkinson (@therealartparkinson) on

This latest Bafta nomination is an exciting honour for Art. Speaking to Donegal Daily, he said: “I am honoured to be a part of a project that was nominated for such a prestigious award and excited for what the future brings for Kubo and the Two Strings.”

Art is a Moville native who studies at Coláiste Chineál Eoghain – when he’s not out making blockbuster movies and TV series that is!

Art’s life isn’t like the average Donegal teen – jetting between film sets, premieres and then back to the classroom in Buncrana. We asked him how he balances a showbiz life with school. “It’s very easy as I have a very supportive school in CCE and I have a great tutor in Ruaidhrí Mac Manus who is also an Irish speaker and he keeps me up to date with my work,” he said.

“It’s very easy as I have a very supportive school in CCE and I have a great tutor in Ruaidhrí Mac Manus who is also an Irish speaker and he keeps me up to date with my work,” he said.

Photo by Eric Charbonneau

Art has also been announced as the new ambassador for Seachtain na Gaeilge 2017, which gives him a great opportunity to share his love of the Irish language and highlight the work of his school, Coláiste Chineál Eoghain.

“I am very excited to be Ambassador for Seachtain na Gaeilge and I look forward to being a part of the project. As an Ambassador it’s my job to promote Irish culture and encourage the use of the Irish language.

“My school Coláiste Chineál Eoghain is holding their annual open night on Tuesday 17 January next and I would like to encourage people who are interested in Irish medium education to come and check us out.”

Good luck to Art throughout the awards season!