A FILMMAKER is hoping to tackle bullying – and inspire a new generation of local talent.

Jack Harrison, who lives in London but grew up in Greenmount, said he hopes his film ‘Strawberry Laces’ will get children thinking about bullying.

The short film, set in Greenmount and which tells the story of a working class boy framed by his ‘friend’ for stealing, has been endorsed by anti-bullying charity BulliesOut.

The charity will now screen the film in classrooms across the country to be used as educational material for students and teachers helping tackle the problems associated with bullying.

Former Bury Grammar School pupil Mr Harrison, aged 25, said: “I hope that the film can have a life after screening and do some good that way. It touches upon peer pressure, manipulation and jealousy.

“Students will watch the film and then be able to interact with it, asking questions and discussing the issues raised with their teachers and classmates.

“BulliesOut is a brilliant organisation and to have them involved has been fantastic.”

Mr Harrison, who works as a camera operator and has created the film as a crowdfunded ‘passion project’, said returning to where he calls home to film was always part of his plan.

Strawberry Laces is the first film outside of university that he has written and directed, and features talent from the Carol Godby Theatre Workshop.

All three leading roles are played by teenagers Charlie Concannon, Connor Porter and Nathan Lea from the drama school in The Rock, Bury, where Mr Harrison himself attended as a youngster.

“It was a really nice part of the process to return there,” added Mr Harrison.

“It is such an amazing hub for young local talent and the lads were brilliant, I couldn’t have asked for better young talent.

“They are really nice lads as well and I hope that, if nothing else, this film inspires them to carry on acting and go on to bigger things.”

The film premiered at Home Cinema in Manchester in front of an audience of family, friends, supporters, and the actors and crew themselves.

Mr Harrison added: “To be able to share the experience of seeing what I had made on the big screen was great.

“It was really important for me to return to where I grew up to make the film.

“I wanted to show the complex dynamics of friendship when you are growing up, contrasted with the beauty of the Ramsbottom and Greenmount countryside, I hope that’s what I achieved.”