During the summer, Washington Arts Centre played host to a series of free sessions giving youngsters the chance to try out different art forms.

A group of six took up the challenge of film-making, with the help of Newcastle-based production company Arpeggio Films, as part of the Mix Up project.

The kids, aged 13 to 19, came up with the idea of putting a modern twist on the much-loved tale of Alice in Wonderland.

Matthew Blyth, of the Arts Centre, said: "They decided to base their film on Alice in Wonderland as it has connections with Sunderland.

"It's a short, five-minute film about a young girl who bangs her head and comes round in this alternative reality where she finds herself following a musician who's a member of the White Rabbit band.

"It's great that they've been nominated for this award. They're all really excited.

"Just being involved in the film in the first place was an achievement enough, but to actually be nominated for an award is the icing on the cake.

"We all had real fun making it and I don't think any of them thought it would end up nominated for an award."

This weekend, a panel of top judges will decide whether the film Alice will scoop the title in the Best Emerging Talent award and the Audience Award at Fresh-Flix, the young people's section of the prestigious Encounters Film Festival in Bristol.

Liz Harkman, film festival boss, said: "The aim of this new initiative is to provide a new platform for young film-makers aged 19 years and under, to showcase their work and celebrate their film-making achievements and enthusiasm."

Helen Green, creative director at the Arts Centre, added: "I am delighted that the young filmmakers on our Mix Up project are being recognised in such a way.  All the participants of Mix Up worked very hard and I am very proud of them".