A FILM that transformed part of Blackburn into 1970s Belfast has been nominated for a prestigious BAFTA award.

The film 71 tells the story of British soldier Gary Hook, portrayed by Skins star Jack O’Connell, who is accidentally abandoned by his unit following a riot in the city.

The multi-million pound film which was released nationwide in October, is up for Outstanding British Film with it’s lead up for the Rising Star Award.

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Filming took place in 2013 for the feature set during the Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles’.

Bank Top and Stansfeld Street, in Blackburn, were used as locations as well as parts of Sheffield and Liverpool.

The film follows O’Connell who is unable to tell friend from foe, and must find his way to safety through a disorientating, alien and deadly landscape.

The 24-year-old, who stars in the Angelina Jolie-directed film Unbroken, is one of five nominees for the EE Rising Star Award which will be presented at the movie ceremony.

Borough arts boss Coun Damian Talbot said: “It’s great that a film that was partly shot in Blackburn has been nominated for the award and has been such a success.

“The council would encourage film companies to come to the area.

“The recent Northern Soul film was partly shot at King George’s Hall in Blackburn and that was a great event for the area.”

For two weeks, the streets were sealed off as a 65-strong crew filmed 71.

During the shoot, seven local children, aged two to 11, were enlisted as extras.

Backed by firms including Studio Canal UK and Film Four, the film was directed by Yann Demange, responsible for the BBC’s acclaimed ‘Criminal Justice’ series and Channel Four’s ‘Top Boy’.

Scenes filmed in Blackburn include one in which the army arrive in a Republican neighbourhood to search for a group of political dissidents.

Another was shot as the streets turned violent when a full scale riot broke out as the community come together in opposition to the troops.

The film crew had just a few weeks to make the fronts of the houses look like 1970s Belfast by using plastic coverings, replacing signs and windows.