A FILM director is to host the premiere of his latest work shot in Blackburn and Rossendale at a town centre cinema.

Aaron Dunleavy shot his second short film, The Truants, in February.

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He has now secured the support of Vue Cinema, Blackburn, for its first showing on Thursday, May 12.

Those invited to the big-screen showing will include the cast, crew and families and people who won seats throughsome open seats to the public through a competition.

Aaron, 21, a former Darwen Vale and Blackburn College student, will later show the film for his University of the Arts London graduation show.

The film featured a cast and extras from several schools in East Lancashire.

He said: “Shooting The Truants went really well.

"It was great to be able to involve so many local kids for the opening scene and I’m very grateful for everyone who has supported us over the past few months.

“The two local stars of the film, Kallum Trueman and Leo Halstead, had never acted before, I discovered them while casting for my last film Throw Me to the Dogs.

“We shot the film in quite a few locations across Lancashire, from All Saints’ Catholic High School in Rawtenstall to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Blackburn.

“The film follows the two lads on their journey across the outskirts of their town and the locations are varied and become increasingly dangerous as the story unfolds.

“Again, it was great shooting so close to home and I definitely want to continue making films in the area involving as many young people as possible.

Aaron said he was thrilled to be able to show the film in his home town.

He said: “Vue cinema in Blackburn have really supported our project, so its great to know that we’ll be able to screen the film locally to a large audience.

“We were very lucky to find sponsorship from the Felix Mater Society, an initiative which produces and supports independent film, art who have sponsored our screening.

“We’ve had lots of interest from local people who want to see the film, so it's a great opportunity to be able to give away tickets for the premiere which will be the first time the film is screened to an audience.”

The competition for free tickets is on the film’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/thetruantsfilm.

After the premiere, The Truants will be entered in film festivals and at Aaron’s University of the Arts London graduation show.

He is also working with the Bureau Centre for the Arts in Blackburn to arrange a local event in the near future.