TWO filmmakers based in Leigh have won a prestigious competition for their script, set entirely around Southend.

The win will enable them to shoot a short film to be screened in London in early May.

Kerry Skinner and Stewart Alexander won the Directors UK’s Alexa Challenge Competition 2018 to shoot The Bicycle Thief.

They've teamed up with Leigh based film and tv producer Jo Farrugia and local post-production house Author Colour to help the project reach completion.

Cast as the leads are local children Maisie Thorn and Oliver Lang.

Jo, who is used to working on big budget feature films and television dramas like The Crown and Made In Dagenham, explained what drew her to the project.

She said: “It’s such a charming story and as I live in Leigh, I was already familiar with all the locations in the script. But there were practical considerations as well. Short films don’t make money, so everyone is volunteering their time to help get it made. By tapping into the pride we share with people in the area, we can keep costs down by enlisting help from the local community. We’ve already been blessed with incredible support from Southend Council, and local businesses like Rossi’s and Adventure Island.”

Southend Council gave its support by granting The Bicycle Thief an award through the Southend 125 Anniversary Cultural Fund.

The Bicycle Thief is the simple story of a young girl who has her beloved bicycle taken from outside an ice cream parlour and spends the remainder of the film chasing the grown man who has taken it around Southend… with a few twists in the tale along the way.

The theme for this year’s challenge as part of the competition, was 'delight'. Part of Kerry and Stewart’s pitch was not only a delightful story but also the opportunity to create a joyful and truly cinematic experience by setting the entire film in the area between Leigh and Southend.

To quote their pitch: “It’s a location that combines wide vistas featuring steep green tree-lined cliffs, a sparkling sea-front and varied iconic architecture like Leigh Old Town, Cliffs Pavilion, Rossi’s famous art deco Ice Cream Parlour, and of course Adventure Island.”

In announcing their win, Directors UK commented on how refreshing it was to see the positive depiction of a British seaside town celebrated as an integral part of the story.

As the prize is the use of an Arri ALEXA camera and anamorphic lenses - the most dynamic on the market - Southend will certainly look stunning on the big screen.

Arri ALEXA is the world’s most prestigious manufacturer of film camera equipment and will support the project with an extensive suite of state of the art equipment.

Directors UK is one of the industry's most respected bodies, hosting their own yearly festival, and regularly represented at film and TV events around the world.

With the backing of these two prestigious organisations, the producers say they will "receive invaluable support to promote the film generally and enter The Bicycle Thief - and promote the unique attractions of Southend - in the short film category at festivals worldwide".

In addition to casting, the filmmakers will also be seeking crew, runners and background extras from the local area.

To keep up to date on all developments you can join the mailing list by contacting info@parkbenchpictures.co.uk

The Bicycle Thief will be shot around Southend over three days during the Easter Break in April.