A FORMER Bradford on Avon resident may be heading for an acting career in Hollywood following a string of recent film and TV successes.

Rayanna Dibs, who lived in the town from the age of two to 19, has just secured leading roles in a new film and a play, and a short film she featured in last year has been selected for the prestigious Cannes film festival.

Now the 32-year-old, who featured in Danny Boyle's Olympic Opening ceremony in the NHS segment, is set on moving to Los Angeles or California for more opportunities.

"I am hoping to move out to the States this year. I have got family and friends out there and have built up some contacts, I feel it is the right stepping stone for me to make with more opportunities," said Ms Dibs, who is busy with a comedy show and a film about a 1970's dating agency, Singles.

"I got the calls for the film (Alone) and play (Predicament) last week along with the Cannes news. It is a fantastic and wonderful surprise. I never expected it and hopefully there will be much more of that to come."

The London based actress began her acting career with local amateur dramatics group The Bradfordians in the 1990's. What followed was the Bath Stage Coach, Bath College Performing Arts, Brunel University, before earning her first TV role in Bwark Productions' Angelo's in 2007.

"To make that breakthrough and to be behind the lens was just so cool and exciting. Ever since I started watching Die Hard, Terminator and the Breakfast Club I wanted to act and here I was doing just that," she said.
"It was a tiny role but it was very special."

Since then she has gone onto dub the lead female voice in Russian blockbuster, The Crew, playing a lead role at the Edinburgh International Festival, Stephan George's feature film The Days Inbetween, hit US TV show, 50 ways to kill your lover, and much more.

After more than a decade of acting, Ms Dibs, who returns home to the town several times a year to see her mum Pat and her closest friends, spoke of the difficulties of this particular profession.

"In some careers you have clearly defined and distinct stepping stones, that is not the case in acting, at least it has not been like that for me," she said.

"In fact, I am quite pleased it has not worked out that way. It is hard to make concrete plans but now I have relaxed a bit more and with that I think you are more open to different opportunities."