A 17-YEAR-OLD from Billinge has secured a place at the British Film Institute Academy.

Matthew Humphris was approached by industry professionals following his short film being screened at the Dukes in Lancaster.

The Winstanley college student and former Rainford High pupil had originally directed his film 'Wrath' for YouTube, however, it soon received viewers’ attention, with a Film Studies teacher at the college suggesting he submitted his piece into a competition run by HOME in Manchester.

Matthew’s serial killer-based film was a perfect candidate as the competition had the theme of 'Monstrous Situations'.

Following his short film being selected, the student was invited to attend the screening at the Dukes, alongside a full audience, including producers and directors.

Matthew was later approached and encouraged to apply for the British Film Institute Academy, with his application a success.

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Discussing the achievement, Matthew said: "I have wanted to be a film director since I was a toddler. Thanks to the BFI Academy I now have the contacts and steppingstone I need to pursue this dream career.

"I can’t thank Leanne, Film Studies teacher, enough for encouraging me to enter the short film competition and opening this world of opportunity."

Leanne Brownbill, Film Studies teacher, and associate principal at Winstanley College, added: "Matthew is a very talented Film Studies student; his work is amazing, and I have no doubt he will continue to make films that get noticed and will be a name to look out for in the future."

Alongside his A-levels in Law, English Literature, and Film Studies, Mathew now attends BFI in Liverpool every Monday evening, where he is producing a short film in the 'Break into film' course offered in the academy run by Carl Hunter, a director to films starring big-named actors including Bill Nighy.