A NEW generation of Steven Spielbergs and Nick Parks is being groomed for stardom at an Oxfordshire school.

Pupils at Wychwood Primary School, in Shipton-under-Wychwood, are planning to put on their own film festival – screening films they have written, directed and edited themselves.

For the past five weeks, the youngsters have been learning filming techniques in after-school clubs and coming up with their own films, featuring small action figures filmed using stop-frame animation.

Sue Dawe, ICT co-ordinator at the school, said: “The kids love it. They have got Vikings, Romans, some of the girls have got princess horses, and they have made their own sets and created their own movies.”

Thirty children, aged bet-ween seven and 11, are involved in the project, working in teams of three.

Pupils have been in charge of everything from coming up with the story, to filming the figures, and editing the finished product on a film-making software package under guidance from computer educational firm ComputerXplorers Cotswolds, which runs the after-school clubs.

Mrs Dawe said: “I think the films are hilarious. They are really good and just so creative with their ideas – although we do find that a lot of the boys like a few battles in their movies!

“They are so proud and they just love showing what they have made.”

The films will be screened for fellow pupils and parents on Tuesday and Wednesday at a mini film-festival.

Thomas Jowett, 11, said: “I have enjoyed it so much I even went home and made my own movie.”

Joss Habberley, eight, said: “It’s really good. I love all the special effects you can do and that I can make my own movies.”

Mrs Dawe said that as well as allowing the youngsters to explore their creative side, the club gave them a chance to use cutting-edge computer equipment and learn techniques they would not normally have a chance to.

She said: “Even to produce nine seconds takes about 150 frames so it is very painstaking, patient work.

“They are thoroughly absorbed by the activities.”