Casey Affleck may have just won Best Actor at the 89th Academy Awards for his role in 'Manchester By The Sea', but what of his future projects? He has began shooting 'Light of My Life' this February in which he stars and is also director and screenwriter.

Casey AffleckCasey Affleck films new drama 'Light of My Life'

With principal photography in full swing for 'Light of My Life', the movie marks Casey Affleck's third directorial venture after 1999's Sundance short film series 'The Book of Charles' and Joaquin Phoenix's 'I'm Still Here' which he co-wrote. He also wrote the script for 2002's 'Gerry' with Matt Damon and director Gus Van Sant.

The film, which has been produced by Teddy Schwarzman ('The Imitation Game', 'Gold') and Geoffrey Quan ('Obvious Child'), is an intense drama following a young girl and her father's predicament when they find themselves stuck in a forest following the rapid spread of a virulent disease that is changing the world. 

He is forced to protect her from newfound dangers all around them, many of which are at the hands of men, and their own relationship and sense of humanity are tested in ways they could never have imagined. Tom Bower ('Out of the Furnace') and Anna Pniowsky ('Wait Till Helen Comes') star opposite Casey Affleck as Tom and Rag respectively.

More: Read our review of 'Manchester By The Sea'

Also coming up, Casey will be reteaming with director David Lowery for the third time with crime comedy 'The Old Man and the Gun', having previously worked with him on this year's 'A Ghost Story' and 2013's 'Ain't Them Bodies Saints'. He has also been announced to play Meriwether Lewis in the forthcoming HBO mini-series 'Lewis and Clark', as well as to direct forthcoming Western 'Far Bright Star' starring Joaquin Phoenix and based on the Robert Olmstead novel of the same name.

'Light of My Life' is set to be released in theatres in 2018.