A York filmmaker has won international acclaim for his debut short, and is looking for young actors to take part in his latest work.

Dan Wagstaffe, from Heslington, wrote and directed Bang Up Or Pay Back last year, to promote community payback schemes over short jail sentences.

The project was partially funded by the Ministry of Justice and the National Offender Management Service, and was highly commended at film festivals around the UK. Now Dan is looking to create a new film called Pawn Players, which looks at another serious issue in modern-day Britain.

Dan said: “This film will move away from crime and look at the personal cost of unemployment in York and the overall minefield of 21st Century Britain.

“Pawn Players is part of a trilogy that will conclude with an assessment of the NHS later this year.”

The new project, due to shoot in York this month, will use local talent to examine the issue of unemployment, including Acomb-based make-up artist Hannah Ingleby, and Yorkshire folk musician Phil Cockerman, but the film still needs a cast.

Dan said: “We would like to give a professional, paid acting opportunity to any talented York actors, one male and aged about 30, and one female, aged 19 to 21.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the film should email Dan at danwagstaffe@yahoo.com