In pictures: Film students screen zombie flick at the Odeon

Future actors and directors gathered at the Odeon Cinema in Maidenhead on Saturday for a screening of their zombie film ‘The Virus’.

The group, aged between 11 and 18 years-old, are part of the MN Academy which runs Saturday film and television courses at Windsor Girls’ School in Imperial Road.

The film, which has a running time of just under an hour, took about four months to make and was filmed entirely within the school grounds.

Mr Selfridge actress Zoe Richards was on hand to dish out awards to the rising stars and gave words of encouragement to students.

Tom Newton, who runs the academy, said the teenagers were ‘excited’ to see their work displayed on the big screen at the cinema in Maidenhead’s King Street.

He said: “A bunch of them turned up as if they were at the Oscars.”

A former The Windsor Boys’ School pupil, Tom grew up in Langley and has worked in the film and television business.

He set up the academy with the aim of teaching youngsters about what the industry is all about.

“The children seem to really enjoy it as they keep coming back every term,” the 35-year-old said.

“It’s a nice way of working as kids can find out which section of the profession they like, whether it is in front or behind the camera.

“We show them the demand and hard work that is required but we try and make it fun and enjoyable. The key is also making the classes informative as well.”

Another film was also shown on the day, which was a music video made by a group of students aged between six and 10 years old.