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WRENTHAM -- He just turned 10, but already is an actor and budding film director who is entering a film festival.

Ryan O'Donoghue, the son of Timothy and Gina O'Donoghue, and a fourth-grader in the town elementary school system, was acting in an independent film on Saturday, and will continue acting in the film on Monday.

"Wake" was shot on Ryan's birthday Saturday at a funeral parlor in Warwick, R.I., and was set to also be filmed in Providence Monday.

The movie is about a woman whose first love passes away before the couple can marry. Ryan's role in what essentially was a very special birthday was playing the woman's nephew.

Written and co-produced by Sari Gagnon of Connecticut and directed by J Schaefer of Rhode Island, "Wake" will be entered in New York's Riff and the Sundance film festivals. Ryan and his parents learned about the film on the Internet.

"He had to audition and read some lines in front of the camera, and they canceled other boys who were going to audition because they knew right away he was right for the role," Gina O'Donoghue said.

The screen test was two weeks ago in Providence. Because they were impressed by his knowledge of the business, the producers gave Ryan the opportunity to write and direct his own 10-minute film, which also will be entered into festivals.

"I like the cast. They are very nice to me, especially considering I am the only kid in the cast," Ryan said. "I think I will like it."

His mother is equally enthusiastic. "This is great for him," Gina O'Donoghue said. "He is excited about it."

"Even though if he doesn't go any further in acting, it is good to be able to talk to people and not be afraid of a camera," his father Timothy O'Donoghue said. "It will help him anywhere in his life."

Since Ryan aspires to one day be a full-time director, his mother says of her son's birthday, "Our gifts will pale in comparison to this one."

The filming didn't cancel other plans for the birthday boy.

"We are still having a party," Gina O'Donoghue said.

Having acted in many plays, Ryan was an extra in the Ben Affleck movie, "Gone Baby Gone," which was filmed in Boston last summer. He rode a bicycle up and down a street. Ryan had the chance to talk with Affleck about directing, and that discussion also was filmed.

"I kind of liked that too," Ryan said of the discussion. His parents and he hope it makes it on the extra footage on the DVD for the movie.

His mother recalls her son interested in film for about three years.

"He just wanted to be a film director for a long time," she said. "He originally became interested in George Lucas, who directed "Star Wars," and started researching his early films."

Ryan received a video camera for Christmas.

"He got to learn both sides of the camera," Gina O'Donoghue said. "His real passion is being on the other side of the camera filming and director."

This past week, Ryan was busy rehearsing a play for Riverside Theater in Hyde Park. He has a lead role.

Besides theater and film, Ryan also is interested in animation and enjoys ice hockey, soccer and birds.

"He is getting an opportunity to do what he wants to do, which is great for being just a kid," Gina O'Donoghue said. "It is funny being that young and knowing what you want to do already."

STEPHEN PETERSON can be reached at 508-236-0377 or at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.