A YOUNG film maker and his crew are anxiously waiting to hear if their first movie receives a placing in a Czech Festival.

Michael Booth, 19, and his company, Generation Next Films, are also appealing to anyone who can provide them with equipment and funding for their second film, 'The Marriage,' which they hope to submit to the Cannes Film Festival next year.

Michael, of Shadsworth Road, Blackburn, is preparing to jet out to the Czech Republic on July 7 to see if their first film 'Come With Me' is successful at the international Karlovy Vary Film Festival.

He wrote and shot the 45-minute film as part of his media course at Blackburn College and was persuaded by lecturer Jon Williams to submit it to the festival. It has also been shown at the Edinburgh Fringe festival.

Michael formed Generation Next with a group of friends, who include producers Ian Guy, Martin Fairhurst and Sarah Garcia, actor and assistant producer Matthew Hunt, production designer Louise Fairhurst and assistant director Andrew Flannery.

They also get camera help from Jason Brown, who has worked on Emmerdale and Sherlock Holmes.

Now the group are hoping someone will provide them with equipment, especially 16mm film, for them to be able to shoot 'The Marriage' in August.

Dawn Acton (Tracy Barlow from Coronation Street), has already expressed an interest in taking one of the roles.

"We are really looking for a large donation or sponsorship," said Michael. "They will receive advertisements and recognition in the credits of the film."

"I am very excited about the Czech festival," he added.

"I want to go as far as I can and would like to revive the British film industry.

"The writers of Trainspotting were only a bunch of working class lads and they realised that the film industry was dying and decided to make something out of it."

Anybody who can help the group are invited to contact Ian Guy on 01254 51527. They would also like to hear from anyone who wants to act in the film.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.