IT'S a story of heartache, family breakdown and rival Elvis impersonators and it could launch the film careers of seven Gwent students.

Viva Elvis was unveiled at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff and is now being entered for a national film award by Coleg Gwent media studies lecturer Bev Crouch.

A group of her students aged 16-18 netted £20,000 of funding from Lottery-backed film body First Light and then came up with the idea, wrote, directed, filmed, acted in and edited the film.

The students also wrote lyrics and hired musicians for the soundtrack.

They even managed to land professional actors for some of the roles, including former Flying Pickets singer Brian Hibbard, who starred Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and Pobol y Cwm, to play an Elvis impersonator.

All the actors took part on an expenses-only basis.

The students and lecturers Ms Crouch and Tracy Pallant are hoping Viva Elvis - filmed on location in September at the Porthcawl Elvis Festival - will net an award from Zoom Cymru, a national film competition, or from First Light, which is also handing out gongs.

The plot centres on a young lad, Prez whose Elvis-impersonator dad has hit the bottle after his wife leaves for a better Elvis impersonator played by Brian Hibbard.

Prez hatches an idea that if his dad (Chris Dernal) should perform at the Elvis convention and out-Elvis his mum's lover, thus winning her back.

Gareth Harris, 18, of Canal Close, Griffithstown played Prez in the film as well as pitching in on the writing, editing and filming.

"Hopefully it's the start of something good - I'd like to get into the film industry," he said.

"It was a great experience working with Brian and the others - they were very helpful and gave us quite a lot of tips.

"We just got in contact with their agents, they came to the college, tried out a scene and said "yes" to it."

Katherine Locke, 17, from St Dials, said the film was a great "team effort".

"It was great making a film as a group, a lot of fun and really satisfying to see it completed."

The rest of the group are Megan Davis, Richard Butlin, Andrew Johns, Ceri Hamilton and Christopher Ellaway.

Ms Crouch praised their efforts.

"I don't think they realised how much filming you need to do to make a 10 minute film," she said.

"It's been fantastic seeing all their hard work showcased - we're very proud of them."