A GREENOCK actor is starring in an award-winning film which will be released later this month.

Businessman Jim Sweeney followed his dream to become an actor later in life after living in America and hasn't looked back since, featuring in several films as well as cult TV series Outlander.

Now the 64-year-old stars in drama Isolani as a crooked detective named Brian Ross.

Set in Glasgow, the film follows the story of a young single mum who witnesses a murder and is caught up in a deadly game between an ambitious prosecutor, a corrupt cop and a desperate killer.

Jim said: "I see both sides of the divide as a policeman but I'm also corrupt.

"It was great fun.

"It was shot in 18 days in and around Glasgow, the crew were young and very enthusiastic."

Isolani was nominated for best UK feature at Raindance, the Discovery Award at BIFA and best debut at a film festival in Poland, with awards and official selections around the world from Sydney to Orlando.

Jim, of Old Inverkip Road, said: "The film punched way above its weight."

The movie is made by Lowa Pictures, run by ex-footballer Kris Commons and his wife Lisa Hague, and is directed by Paul Wilson.

Jim is also signed up to do another film with Paul next month called A Very Public House and completed a feature in Serbia three months ago.

He has signed with top London agency Lee Morgan Management and will be shooting another film on January 18 called The Silence.

Jim, who owns Kilts for Less in the town centre, always fancied being an actor but didn't know how to go about it.

He said: "I went to the United States with my wife Pauline 15 years ago and I took up the idea, went to classes and a year later I was getting small parts in indie films.

"At first I was struggling to get small parts but that's all changed. I'm getting lead roles in independent films and small roles in bigger films."

Jim has two sons and five grandchildren who are all very supportive of his new career.

He said: "The grandkids love it. When I did Outlander I had to shave my moustache off and the kids came in from school asking 'what's happening?'"

Jim is having a ball in front of the camera, saying: "It's a great escape.

"Every part I've done, I've learned something about myself."

The UK cinema release for Jim's latest film is in Glasgow from January 25.