A 16-year-old aspiring film director has been chosen by Dame Helen Mirren to reach the final five of a national short film-making competition.

George O’Regan, of Southway, Raynes Park, was chosen from more than 500 entries as a finalist in Cineworld’s Dream to Screen contest.

The broadcast and digital communication student at the BRIT school in Croydon pitched his idea for an 'inspiration'-themed short film in a 90 second video in May.

High profile judges including Dame Helen Mirren and BAFTA chief executive, Amanda Berry, then nominated George and four others to receive £2,000 and specialist equipment to make their films.

George's entry, 'Brush', tells the story of an artist who packs up his canvas and easel to visit the Lake District after receiving a promotional flyer through his letter box.

The four-minute animation was filmed at George's Raynes Park home, Wimbledon Common and the Lake District.

He said: "They gave a theme of inspiration and I thought about who could be inspired so I wanted to do something about an artist.

"Then I thought about what inspires me and that’s pretty much location because you have to make what you can out of the location you have, so I usually shoot near me.

"So the competition was definitely about expanding my horizons with location and being able to go to the Lake District and when it came to making it, everything came together sort of like a picture."

The film stars just one actor Jack Hughes, who teaches theatre at the BRIT school.

George said: "He looked fantastic for the part and he was really interested in getting involved."

The avid film-maker was eight-years-old when he made his first film about a worm after being inspired by an episode of Wallace and Grommet.

Wimbledon Times:

Finalist: George O'Regan

George's father, who works in IT, showed him how to make a simple animation and he has been making films ever since.

He said his favourite director is Stephen Spielberg, who inspired the camera movements in his short film.

Dream to Screen is supported by Cineworld Foundation, Media Trust and the Jack Petchey Foundation.

The competition winner will be announced on October 28, with voting for the best short film open until Friday, September 19.

To view the film and to vote for George, visit: http://www.dreamtoscreen.org/nominees/403/george-oregan