A STUDY of DNA got a group of young West Dorset filmmakers so passionate about science they have just scooped a national film award.

Their film, 23 Pieces, made with the help of PVA Media Lab in Bridport, was entered in the national First Light Movies Awards and was judged by Hollywood A-listers.

Judges praised the mini-movie applauding its clever idea and excellent scrip and the youngsters were presented the award for best screenplay at a star-studded ceremony at The Odean, Leicester Square on Tuesday.

Their scientific drama combined genetics with a story about a boy searching for his true identity.

The young filmmakers from the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester, aged between 14 and 17, were funded with £9,000 from the Wellcome Trust and a £4,400 First Light Movies Studio Award.

Director Peter Snelling said: "They did loads of research. The challenge was to make DNA into a story that was personal and human because DNA is quite abstract. They came up with a great idea. We met in workshops every week for three months.

"Because you need to know the science in order to make the story work they became very animated about finding stuff out.

"The combination of making a film and the educational science aspects of it go great together because it fires people up to want to learn for a creative purpose."

Mr Snelling said several of the youngsters had now chosen courses to do with film-making and one wanted to make a film about Kenya.

Thomas Hardye School will be using the film in biology lessons to introduce the subject of DNA and other organisations also want to use it as a resource.

This year's First Light Film Awards were attended by more than 200 young people as well as celebrities and film industry executives.

The ceremony, held at the Odeon West End in the heart of London, featured a specially-recorded message of support from 007 Daniel Craig who sent his best wishes via videolink from Los Angeles.

The First Light Movies Awards are now in their fifth year.

This year's young filmmakers also went to a reception held at 11 Downing Street on the eve of the ceremony with Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown MP.

At the reception Gordon Brown praised First Light Movies. He said: "These films are full of energy, creativity and talent in so many different areas and I'm sure the First Light Movies Awards winners will be Oscar winners at some point in the future - all down to the hard work of this organisation."

UK Film Council chief executive officer John Woodward added: "First Light Movies gives children and young people a unique opportunity to channel their creativity into making films."