A new generation of film makers found themselves in front of the camera when they displayed their technical talent, creativity and imagination during a hugely successful short film showcase in Keighley.

Dozens of movies entered by directors from across the globe formed part of the inaugural River Aire Ten Minute Amateur Film Festival.

Films were split into seven categories – animation, art, comedy, documentary, drama, sci-fi and thriller – and were screened at Keighley Campus on Saturday.

The most popular films in each genre were screened again the following day at the Picture House cinema in North Street.

Category winners took home Oscar-style awards, designed and manufactured in Keighley, at the red-carpet event.

RATMA was the brainchild of vehicle maintenance students at the Keighley Campus of Leeds City College. They downed tools to study for an enterprise diploma, which involved organising a charity event.

And proceeds from the Keighley News-backed film festival – yet to be counted – will be presented to their nominated charities, Stand Up To Cancer and the British Heart Foundation.

Lecturer and co-ordinator Marcus Gregg said: “It was fantastic – everything I wanted it to be.

“It was glitzy and glamourous without being pompous and it was great to see the mayor of Keighley, Councillor Sally Walker, which helped give it a local stamp of approval.”

Viewers voted for their favourite movies, and a special people’s choice award was sponsored by the Keighley News. Worthy recipient of this and the prize for best drama film went to former Leeds Metropolitan student Lyke Obi, who made a nine-minute film called Duty of Care. This was produced in Leeds but set in Bradford, and focused on the dangers of becoming involved in drug dealing.

Mr Obi, 30, who moved to England from Nigeria in 2010 and has a burning ambition to become a Hollywood director, said: “I feel so delighted and humbled. I thought I might manage to win the prize for drama film, but I never thought I’d win people’s choice.”

This accolade, along with the award for best documentary, was presented by KN editor Richard Parker. He said: “What an incredible event – it was an absolute honour for the Keighley News to support this inspiring showcase for talented young people.

“Everyone who attended the awards night was blown away by the incredibly professional standard of what are amateur movies.

“Hats off to the organisers for staging a superb show, especially the enterprising students, and to Lyke. He and his lovely wife had the good grace to attend on the night, and he spoke so passionately about his love of film. There couldn’t be a more worthy winner of the Keighley News People’s Choice Award, and he pretty much brought the house down when he took to the stage to collect it.”

Other award winners were: Animation – How To Care For Your Hamsters by Ivor Tymchak; Art – Polystyrene Dream by Jack Exton; Comedy – Life Of A Chicken by Todd Akerman; Documentary – I Love BMX: A Self Portrait by Brant Moore; Sci-fi – Quantum Suicide by Simon Horrocks; Thriller – Zombie by Tamra Morton.