Amanda Fleming screens film ‘What a Drag’

Guests at the screening of the film What A Drag

Rochdale actress and director Amanda Fleming held a screening of her latest film ‘What a Drag’ on Saturday 10 January.

The film, which looks at the lifestyle of drag queens, is the first film to be directed by Amanda and was screened to a specially invited audience.

Speaking about the screening, Amanda said: “It was a fantastic night. We ended up doing two screenings so everyone could come and everyone left happy. It was a really great night.”

Held in a Penthouse apartment owned by City Warehouse Apartments in Manchester, guests were treated to a screening of the film and a question and answer session.

“The first screening saw about 12 people come along and the second screening saw about 15 people come along. We invited people including the cast and the crew and people who helped with the funding so they could see the finished product,” added Amanda.

Amanda also raised £1,500 to help her with her next project as well as allowing her to fund a camera.

“The money raised will allow me to fund my next project and buy a camera. There is a Canon camera that I am looking at that I can attach a boom mic to and it is a hi-definition camera so it will really help,” added Amanda.

‘What a Drag’ is a 30 minute comedy docudrama and has been selected for a number of film festivals.

Amanda said: “The plan for the first half of this year will be to show the film in the European and UK film festivals and the second half of the year will be taking it to the US film festivals. At the end of the day it is all about getting your name out there.”

Now that Amanda has directed her first film, she has been bitten by the bug and is hoping to direct more.

She added: “I still love acting, don’t get me wrong, but now that I have directed I think I am moving to become more of a director and producer. I think I would like to be like Mel Brooks who always had a cameo in his films so then that way I am not leaving acting behind.”