Film star Fungi to make the leap from holidays to Hollywood

Rumours of his demise were grossly exaggerated and, to prove the point, Fungi the Dolphin is preparing to flip his way to a new level of stardom on the silver screen.

The bottle-nosed beauty is poised to become a movie superstar with confirmation that a major documentary detailing his lively life and times is about to go into production.

Just weeks after unf-ounded reports of his death caused shock and plunged the whole country into premature mourning, it has emerged a production team from the Dingle International Film Festival is to capture the story of the mighty mammal.

Fun-loving Fungi has lived close to the marina in Dingle, Co Kerry, since 1983 and those involved plan to shoot a movie to celebrate his 30-year contribution to the town and its tourism industry.

Festival director Maurice Galwey has issued a worldwide plea to anybody that saw Fungi to share their photos or footage, or upload their memories on video or YouTube to be considered for inclusion in the project.

“We’re putting a call out there to everybody that has ever experienced Fungi, whether they have gone out swimming with him or gone out on a boat trip,” said Mr Galwey.

“People’s experiences can be quite humorous or quite spiritual.”

Those with archive footage, iPhone recordings or home-made clips to share are asked to make them available to the crew to ensure the production is as comprehensive and entertaining as possible.

“I see it as being quite a beautiful thing. If we can people from all over the world it will be lovely, with different languages and subtitles,” said Mr Galwey.

The film production is being organised as part of The Gathering festival and those spearheading the project plan to premiere the film at the Dingle International Film Festival in March.

The bottle-nosed VIP is held in such high esteem in Dingle that locals have even erected a bronze statue in his honour, and they are now determined to put his name up in lights as an all-action international movie heartthrob capable of putting the legendary Flipper in the supporting role category.

Recent claims that Fungi had gone belly-up off Dingle Harbour proved malicious as local fishermen confirmed he was in fine fettle and still attracting visitors by the bus load.

* Recordings, clips, and queries regarding Fungi can be sent via email to [e-mail]