Movie-makers of the future see their films on the big screen

Budding Steven Spielbergs from 11 Lambeth primary schools took a trip to the cinema - to see their own productions on the silver screen.

Armed with popcorn, dozens of three to 11-year-olds watched films they had made at the Ritzy cinema in Brixton and the Clapham Picturehouse.

Professional animators and film-makers have been based at each school to help with the Lambeth Council project, which was run by Lambeth City Learning Centre. The children wrote their own scripts, recorded soundtracks, got involved with editing and even created special effects for their films.

Each budding film-maker was presented with a mini Oscar statue in recognition of their efforts.

Nicole, six, who helped make Archbishop Sumner Primary School’s film about the Three Billy Goats Gruff, said: "I enjoyed making the animation and I also did a voice for one of the trolls."

Her classmate Vasco, six, added: "It’s like the Billy Goats Gruff but with a different ending."

Cllr Paul McGlone, Lambeth's cabinet member for children and young people, said: "This exciting project captures children’s imaginations - especially once they see their films on the big screen. This has been a new learning experience for them and maybe we will see some of these children in Hollywood collecting a real Oscar in the future."

The Lambeth City Learning Centre Film and Animation Festival has been running for three years. Three films produced last year made it into film festivals including the London Children's Film Festival.