YOUNG people with learning difficulties have attracted some top UK talent to a film festival on Sunday.

Flash Forward film festival has been organised by people from Oxford Day Time Support.

And on Sunday, the 17- to 25-year-olds will be presenting the final product at the Vue Cinema in Grenoble Road.

Dozens of short films will be shown on the big screen, from dramas and documentaries to animations and experimental films. Awards will then be given to filmakers.

The films include Change, made by Abingdon and Witney College students, and My Life My Choice by people from The Stingray Club, Oxford’s only nightclub run by and for disabled people.

Festival director Gary Shenton said: “We had 54 entries sent to us from as far afield as Somerset and Scotland.

“All the films have been made by people with learning difficulties and I have to say, the standard is absolutely incredible.”

This is the third time the festival has been run. The last, in 2008, attracted nearly 300 to The Regal on Cowley Road.

Mr Shenton, from OVFM Film Oxford, worked with the young people to run and publicise the event.

He said: “There is no festival like this in this region, and the young people have been in charge of it at every level, from advertising to choosing the films and the venue.

“It’s all about recognising and celebrating people with learning difficulties and they seem to love being involved.”

Jonathan Langford, 20, from Jericho, will hand out the award for best drama.

He said: “I’m really excited about the festival and I’m most looking forward to the awards ceremony at the end.

“I was looking for ones that made me laugh, or were about local issues.”

Mr Langford has a mild learning disability and has been attending Oxford Day Time Support, a support group for people with learning difficulties, based in Albion Place in the city centre, for over a year.

He said: “I have made lots of friends and especially enjoy the drives to the seaside, museums and other places.”

The festival runs from 2.30-5.30pm and tickets cost £4.

OTHER films being shown at the festival include:

  • Family life in Abingdon is a comedy drama by local script writer Russell Highsmith.
  • Shadows and Reflections, by local digital artist Julian Blake, is an experimental piece.
  • Roshni’s Perfect Day is a documentary by Abingdon and Witney College in partnership with the Artstalk Film Crew, about the choices available to students with complex disabilities at the college.
  • Intake and Extract' is an experimental mixed media film by Lucy Skuce.