IT WAS lights, camera, action for budding filmmakers as the first Blackpool Schools' Film Festival rolled into action.

Pupils from seven schools joined teachers, parents and festival organisers for an afternoon screening of their short films at the town's Rigby Road Odeon cinema last week.

As well as watching each other's work on the big screen, youngsters from each of the schools were presented with certificates of participation by film director Juliet McKoen and actor Andy Wear from television's The Royal.

Co-ordinator Richard Sharples told the gathering: "It's the first time that any schools, as far as we know, in the north of England have put on their own film festival in a real cinema.

"We do hope that next November we'll have the second Blackpool Schools' Film Festival here at the Odeon."

Groups of students from Revoe and Thames primary schools, and Bispham, Palatine, St George's, St Mary's and Beacon Hill high schools were involved in the festival.

Their films lasting around five to ten minutes, were shot in the summer after brainstorming, script writing and technical workshops led by professional filmmakers.

Stories included a drama about a day in the life of a bullying victim, a hard-hitting drama about a teenage pregnancy, and a humorous view of Blackpool's underbelly seen through the lens of a tourist's camera.

Ray Turner, one of five filmmakers involved, spent time with pupils at St Mary's High School and Beacon Hill High School.

"Like any kind of activity that you throw at young people they immersed themselves in it and just enjoyed it."

Ray, who also teaches at Blackpool and The Fylde College, said students learned how to use digital video cameras and equipment -- similar to professional gear -- to shoot their films.

He added: "Hopefully the students have got an insight into how films are made, and a sense of how you tell a story in a particular medium."

Funding was provided by ArtXtra, a lottery funded initiative aiming to provide more arts opportunities for young people.