ASPIRING film students had the once in a lifetime opportunity to spend two hours with a BAFTA award-winning director.

The Year 12 and 13 students from the Beaminster School and Sir John Colfox Academy joint sixth form were excited to meet internationally-acclaimed film director and playwright, Mike Leigh for a two-hour workshop.

The A level students are studying the text ‘Secrets and Lies’, with the film directed by Leigh, and had prepared well-crafted questions to ask the famous director, whose works include ‘Abigail’s Party’, ‘Nuts in May’, ‘Naked’, ‘All or Nothing’, ‘Vera Drake’ and ‘High Hopes’.

Joseph Jones, a Year 13 student who is intending to study film at university, said: “It was such a wonderful event and gave me a real insight into the way that Leigh crafts his scripts – it was a brilliant afternoon.”

The event was organised by Lyne Humphries, parent and Beaminster School governonr, and Mark Chutter, head of English and film studies at Beaminster School, in conjunction with the Electric Palace.

Mr Chutter said: “What a fantastic opportunity for our students to actually meet a practising film director and playwright.

“My thanks to Lynne Humphries and to the Electric Palace.

“It was a highly innovative afternoon and gave our students real food for thought for their own films.”

Mike Leigh was in Bridport for a four-day festival at the Electric Palace which celebrated his collaboration with local composer, Andrew Dickson.