Vote for best grassroots short film

A film made by a local young director and film-maker could be named as one of London's best short films if it can win enough votes from the public.

Under the Influence with Stephen Mensah was written and directed by Corey Macri from Wandsworth and is now one of 16 films to be shortlisted in the Best of Borough Film Awards (The BoBs) - a competition celebrating grassroots film-making talent in London.

The film, which runs for just under eight and a half minutes, tells the story of Stephen Mensah, a rap artist who was heading towards a life of crime but saved himself from this fate by turning to theology and the church.

Corey was assisted in making the film by the Shorts Film Fund which was formed last year when the Wandsworth film office teamed up with Westminster Arts and Kensington & Chelsea to provide funding for the production and completion of short films and to provide joint training sessions.

The BoBs are organized by Film London, with support from the Mayor. It is an annual competition to find the best short films made by Londoners with two cash prizes of £2,000 each available for the winner of the Jury Award and the Audience Award.

Both winners will be presented with their awards at an event at Bafta next month.

The shortlisted films can be viewed now at www.filmlondon.org.uk/bobs – watch them now and cast your vote. Voting closes on Wednesday, June 30.

People who take part in the voting also stand to win a prize for participating with one lucky winner chosen from random to attend the exclusive award ceremony and enjoy the champagne reception.