Ben Derrick, 18, who attended Nidderdale High School, presented his new film, A Convenient Truth, to an invited audience of 200 that included Hugo Heppell, the head of Screen Yorkshire and producer of The Damned United, Raef Bjayou from The Apprentice and the Mayor of Harrogate, Coun Pat Jones.

The film is an action-packed drama that sees a student and a secret agent team up to uncover a Government secret. It premiered alongside Four Times, by fellow young filmmaker Timothy Reynard, 17, from Harrogate, which tells the story of a young man who takes revenge on his former lovers.

“It went really well, the films were very well-received,” Ben said after the premiere.

The pair are now looking to take their movies to a wider audience by screening them across Harrogate and Pateley Bridge, and entering them at film festivals.

Ben is also showing his previous film, Fashion Police, at the Los Angeles branch of the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival, which takes place from July 30 to August 6.

“It’s been confirmed that the film has been accepted and now I’ve got the funding to go and promote it as well,” he said.

Ben is currently working as a technician at St Aidan’s.