TWO Bradford screenwriters are aiming to raise £100,000 to produce a full-length version of a short movie that has been recognised at film festivals around the world this year.

Polterheist - written, produced and directed by Dave Gilbank and Paul Renhard - is an 18-minute gritty film about gangsters, guns and ghosts. It stars local actors Sid Akbar Ali, Kathryn Hanke and Jamie Smelt and was filmed at locations in Bingley, Thackley and Undercliffe.

The film, supported by Bradford City of Film, has scooped awards at festivals in America, Australia, Iraq, Estonia, Spain, South Africa and South America, and it recently picked up the Bradford Drunken Film Festival award for Best Picture, beating off competition from 1,000 other films from more than 50 countries.

Shot on a budget of just £1,000, Polterheist tells the story of two low-level gangsters, Tariq and Boxy, who kidnap a psychic medium to find out where their dead boss has hidden a stash of stolen money. The crew as well as the cast were from Bradford; with Tal Lockhat working on the sound, David Berryman working as director's assistant and Joshua Berryman as production assistant.

Now Dave, who directed the film, and Paul, the producer, are setting their sights on writing and producing a full-length version.

“We’re thrilled that our film has already enjoyed so much success around the world and on home turf in Bradford," says Dave, an Australian ex-pat who was born in Brisbane. "It’s been very well received wherever it’s been shown due to the outstanding acting, high production values and quality of the script.

“We're both very proud of Yorkshire and want to reflect and showcase it in our work. We would love it if the lion’s share of funding could be sourced in this region.

“We are being encouraged by many film buffs to now make the leap and produce a full length version. It’s a daunting prospect but we have all the skills and creativity to make it happen - just so long as we can raise £100,000.”

Jax Griffin, director and founder of the Drunken Film Festival, adds: “Polterheist is a fantastic horror comedy with some stunning central performances. It’s a lot of fun, very well executed, and it was a pleasure to see a local Bradford voted ‘Best Short Film’ by a jury panel that was spread across the world."

Dave and Paul have worked together on several commercial writing projects and recently formed Tadah Media, a Bradford-based marketing agency that focuses on video, PR and content creation for businesses across the UK.

“Even though it was filmed in Bradford, an international jury saw fit to reward the superb acting and world-class production values that we worked hard to achieve," says Dave. "The Drunken Film Festival is Bradford’s very own world-famous international film festival, and as one of the hottest festivals on the international circuit, it means so much to win.

"Polterheist has also just made the official selection for the Haunted Horror International Film Festival in New York.

"I’d like to make a special mention of UNESCO City of Film director David Wilson for his invaluable support in getting the film made, also Undercliffe Cemetery and Incommunities Housing for their encouragement and support.”

Tadah Media is now looking for investors to fund a feature-length version of Polterheist, to be filmed on location in Bradford in October.

* To find out more about investing in the project email Dave@tadahmedia.com or hello@tadahmedia.com