Look out Cannes, Bexley has got its very own independent film festival. Reporter CHARLOTTE McDONALD watches potential stars of the future.

CINEWORLD in Bexleyheath may one day be known as the place where it all began - where film-makers first introduced themselves to the world.

My film evening started at around 6pm on June 11.

A mixture of teenagers, their families and friends, police officers, councillors and other dignitaries milled around before being led into one of the theatres.

Speakers introduced the audience to a series of short films.

Cabinet member for leisure, arts and tourism Councillor Peter Catterall, who opened the festival, said: "It's great to feel the buzz in here. There has been nothing quite like this before."

Bexleyheath town centre manager David Palmer-Barnes said: "We had an idea to have a film festival a while ago.

"We have been talking down the years of something like this.

"The idea is to do this bigger and better each year.

"It would be good if Bexley gets on the map and independent films come here.

"What we want to test is if there is a passion for film. We have been lacking that."

Organised by the police, Bexley Council, Mr Palmer-Barnes, Cineworld and the Arts Council of Bexley and Welling School, the event moved from being a pipedream to a reality this year.

Films were submitted by film-makers from Bexley and Bromley.

Two awards were presented: Best Film went to Back to the Fuchsia by Toby Roberts and Best Community Film was won by the Pointless Taxi Productions' film Brewing.

My Darling Wife, which won the London Region Winners section of the Orange Bafta 60-second film competition, was submitted by Beckenham film-makers Straight Curve.

The film's producer, Tina Lockett, said: "As it was local we thought it would be nice to enter into it."

The majority of the films were produced by Bexley's youth film club, Pointless Taxi Productions, which was set up in 2004 for people between the ages of 14 and 19.

Since its creation, it has gone from strength to strength and made a number of short films, many of which have been commissioned by organisations in the area.

Bexley police commissioned a video to be used as a training tool for officers to learn about anti-social behaviour.

The Bexley Primary Care Trust commissioned a film with a message for young people to practise safe sex.

These films have a practical purpose but more importantly give young people the chance to have a go at creating something and getting involved in all the processes.

Bexley Council neighbourhood services co-ordinator Mike Wearing is an executive producer of Pointless Taxi Productions He said: "The young people make every decision in the club, from suggesting ideas to when we appoint a tutor, they interview them.

"The driving force was the young people wanted something. They wanted to make more films."

Erith School pupil Syd Heather, 17, who has worked as a cameraman on a number of Pointless Taxi productions, said: "In the local newspapers there were appeals for helpers.

"I saw them and went along. I did know a bit about film before but I learnt a lot more.

"It's a career I want to pursue.

"We meet once a week from 4pm to 7pm and we meet at half-term for filming."

To get involved with Pointless Taxi Productions, call 020 8303 2876.