IT'S not very often that Hereford Odeon rolls out the red carpet.

Less often still that its guests arrive in a stretch limousine!

But recently the auditorium filled with 285 children from 10 primary schools, most of whom took the opportunity to go Oscar-style.

Dressed in their finery, the young filmmakers were there to receive awards and view their contemporaries' work.

The visual literacy project funded by Herefordshire Schools Improvement Service, Screen West Midlands and The Hearts Partnership gave each school the opportunity to work with professionals to create a short film.

Subjects range from Greek myth to classic fable, while some dealt with issues like bullying and global warming.

Others literally looked to the stars for inspiration and encompassed space travel.

"It was a brilliant experience," said Val Edwards, art co-ordinator at Wigmore Primary. "So many skills were involved, including co-operation, speaking and listening, IT, literacy and social skills in discussing the issues.

"Confidence and self-esteem also improved, particularly for those with special needs."

The schools who applied to take part in the project - which will be repeated in the autumn - received filmmaking equipment, training and a filmmaking mentor.

Adrian Lambert, from the Rural Media Company (RMC), spent three half-days with Shobdon and Almeley primary schools working on script ideas and camera technique, the process of shooting and the first days of editing.

"Primary schools are great places to engage with children creatively," he said.

"Both schools really threw themselves into the project.

"It was a real eye-opener for them to see how much goes into making a film."

The primary schools involved in the project were Holme Lacy, Pencombe, Shobdon, Wigmore, Canon Pyon, Almeley, Ledbury, Burghill, Marlbrook and Broadlands. Weobley High School pupils assisted Almeley in the development of their script idea about global warming.

Representatives from each filmmaking team introduced their work at the award ceremony, which was a glittering success.