A SEDGEMOOR filmmaker walked down the red carpet at the Bafta Awards after winning a regional competition.

Neil Kendall, 24, from Wedmore, won the West of England regional heat of a short film competition organised by Bafta.

Together with London based cameraman Tom Verran, he attended the British Film Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday night when the overall winners were announced.

Although they didn't win the 60 Seconds of Fame competition, held to mark Bafta's 60th anniversary, the pair enjoyed their first taste of stardom.

Neil, a professional video editor, said: "Going to the ceremony was an amazing experience.

"It was one of those huge black tie occasions where no expense was spared.

"I just want to keep making films. I would love to get into making feature films."

Neil and Tom met during a ten-month course at the Metropolitan Film School in Ealing Studios, London.

After seeing the competition advertised at the school, they wrote the script for the film, called Celebrate, about a couple who experience different emotions following a negative pregnancy test.

It cost just £50 to make and also involved two main actors, three extras, and a light and sound engineer.

Tom, also 24, said: "I have made a couple of short films before but this is the first time I have ever entered a competition.

"We filmed in Neil's home in Wedmore for convenience because most of the actors and crew were in Somerset and also for aesthetics because he has a great sitting room.

"The highlight of the ceremony was easily the red carpet. I really did not want to do it in the beginning and thought it would be awkward being somebody who nobody knew.

"But it was really good and I definitely want to experience it again. I'm determined to be back next year."

To see the film visit www.60secondsoffame.co.uk.