TORFAEN filmmakers are one step nearer to Hollywood as they have been shortlisted for international film competition, The Pitch.

Andrew Toovey, 28, from Garndiffaith, and Joe O’Hare, 29, from Cwmbran, submitted the short film idea, Roots, which has successfully made it through the public vote.

The Pitch invites filmmakers from across the world to submit a two minute trailer.

Along with 19 other entrants, their idea is being judged by industry professionals who will select 10 short film ideas for the finals.

The 10 winners will attend a residential course in the Lake District with international film guru Laurie Hutzler in December and will then go on to pitch their story idea at Pinewood Studios next year.

The overall winner will receive an opportunity to have their film made with production support and a budget of £25K, and go to Hollywood to meet Ralph Winter, producer of X-men and Fantastic Four.

Mr Toovey said: “Being shortlisted feels like a real privilege and achievement. I’m really pleased with my entry Roots.

“It has been receiving some positive feedback on the trailer so I would love to make the film, but would be simply chuffed to bits to have the opportunity to pitch it at Pinewood.”

Entries were all inspired by Bible stories. Roots is set in 2020. The first viable quantum computers have blown online security wide open. Emails, credit card details, private file transfers – all previously encrypted, are accessible to all. Tech entrepreneur, Neville Kanessar, rises to power with his widely-adopted Cypress privacy software, but his success comes with its own dark secrets.

It is based on chapter four from the Book of Daniel. Newport became the backdrop of Babylon, with the Transporter Bridge appearing in the final scene too.