DANNY Smith always knew he loved film and had a burning talent for making movies.

But because he suffered with severe learning difficulties, he also knew he was unlikely to forge a career in what he loved.

Now an Oxford organisation is helping Mr Smith and seven others with learning difficulties to break down barriers in the world of film.

Their latest offerings, which each tell a story about their lives, will be shown to the public at a festival tomorrow.

Mr Smith, who lives in Cowley, said: “My film is about me. It is about when I moved to Oxford from London.

“I found it hard to get around in London but it is much easier in Oxford and I have family here so I like it.”

The Wallingford-born 37-year-old, who has Down’s Syndrome, moved back to Oxfordshire from the capital a few years ago.

He added: “It is good talking to people here and I like being around my friends.”

Around 60 people with learning difficulties originally applied to join the Shadowlight Artists, a group run by Film Oxford, three years ago.

The people with the most creative potential were chosen.

The latest series of films, called Digital Lives, were commissioned by the Arts Council of England for £44,000.

One film, by Mark Barber, will be shown at the British Film Institute in London later this month as part of celebrations to tie in with the Paralympic celebrations.

Mark Hemsworth, who has autism, has created the film Crowds, about how being in big groups of people makes him feel.

The 44-year-old from Wallingford said: “It is about the excitement and anticipation. I took video of the Olympic torch relay and the crowds there.

“I really enjoy making films, looking at equipment and editing. It has changed me a little bit I think.

“My autism affects me sometimes, with things like learning at school and interacting with people.”

Lucy Skuce, 31, from Didcot, documents her life using pictures and video. She has more than 800 films on YouTube and followers on Facebook.

She describes her latest film as “about taking choices and having control of my life”.

And Richard Hunt, 39, from Rose Hill, said: “I love coming here, I do lots of things now.”

Film Oxford course manager Richard Duriez said Shadowlight was the only place in the country which focused on helping disabled artists develop creatively by being commissioned to produce films.

He said: “This is an amazing opportunity for the artists.

“The point of the project is to show that someone can still be artistic even if they don’t go to art college.

“People with learning difficulties seem to be automatically excluded from the art world even if they are talented.

“So we are changing that and becoming a bit of an alternative university for them.”

The Arts Council funding runs out in December, so the organisation is on the hunt for 2013 funding.

The film screenings will run at Modern Art Oxford in Pembroke Street from 6pm. Booking is essential and limited spaces are available.

Visit www.filmoxford.org/artist for more details.