Short film shot on Tyneside proves online hit

Behind the scenes filming of The Island, which was shot in Eighton Banks, Gateshead

A film club has broken its own viewing records after being nominated for a prestigious international award.

The Island, which was filmed on Tyneside, took six months to produce with a cast of 40 volunteers and a budget of just £1,000.

Since its December release the short film has been viewed over 60,000 times on Newcastle Film Club's YouTube channel.

Writer Dennis Hewitt, who also plays the lead role, said: "I couldn't believe it. Stuff I've done previously you'd maybe get a few hundred views."

'Inspired by location '

Dubbed "Castaway with a twist", the 10-minute film tells the story of Robin, who finds himself alone and has to learn to come to terms with that to survive.

It was shot on a Newcastle industrial estate and in woodland in Eighton Banks, Gateshead.

The film was nominated for the film industry's Makers and Shakers Awards, in the category of Initiative to Grow Local Industry.

Mr Hewitt, 57, said the interest it received came as a shock.

"This just seems to have taken off," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"It's an idea I've had in my head for years. I was working with Andy who I directed The Island with on another of his films a few years back and I spotted a location and that gave me the idea for the story.

"Without Newcastle Film Club it probably never would of happened because I'm a real procrastinator."

Newcastle Film Club volunteers on location

The club, which recently celebrated its fourth anniversary, is open to anyone in the city and the surrounding areas, regardless of experience.

It teaches industry skills and practices, and provides hands-on opportunities to pitch a film, work with a crew and learn all the different roles on-set.

Femme fatales

It is currently making the final touches to its biggest production to date.

NAILS is a female-led comedy-action short film written by North East-based Amy Mains and Ian Mayor.

Sarah Seymour (left) and Mark Burns (right) on the set of NAILS

It tells the story of three adoptive sisters raised to be femme fatales, and follows them as they make plans for a heist to retrieve an important ledger from a notorious North East businessman.

More than 70 volunteer cast and crew worked on the project, which has been selected as the club's 2023 official short film. It will be screened at various film festivals over the next year.

Siobhan Kayley, Lucy Wilson and Lauren Kerr (left to right) on the set of NAILS

Sarah Seymour, 38, who plays Tori, said projects promoting women are important to her as an actress.

"What was amazing was the action part of it," she said.

"Often you get roles of mams, girlfriends, victims, but to be the one kicking butt was amazing.

"I grew up on a diet of Buffy the Vampire Slayer so my internal 15 year old was squealing, we've done it, we've done it!"

Siobhan Kayley, a student film-maker who acted as third assistant director, said the club had provided training and expertise where nobody could.

The 18 year-old said: "I found the film club just as I finished college and was looking to get on sets but I couldn't because of my age.

"I applied to do some directing and when I got the call to say I was assistant director on NAILS, to get that opportunity was amazing."

NAILS is due to be released next year