A SHORT film produced by a small Ipswich based company could be just one step away from the Oscars after being chosen for screening at one of Europe's oldest and most respected film festivals.

A SHORT film produced by a small Ipswich based company could be just one step away from the Oscars after being chosen for screening at one of Europe's oldest and most respected film festivals.

Red Rose Chain's fifteen-minute film, which tells the story of one woman's battle against a physically abusive husband, has caught the eye of judges at Poland's prestigious Cracow Film Festival.

The film and theatre company's drama, called Friday Night Shirt, will be screened at the Polish festival on Wednesday May 31.

And being selected for inclusion in the festival programme could see them automatically put forward for the Oscars.

The film's director Joanna Carrick said: “The Festival is one of very few in Europe to be officially recognised by the Oscars.

“If we were to win a Golden Dragon award at Cracow we would be automatically short-listed for an Academy Award Nomination, which would be fantastic.”

Red Rose Chain have already enjoyed success with their film, which is set in Great Yarmouth.

Over the past year Friday Night Shirt has been seen by film festival audiences in Cambridge, Cardiff and Los Angeles in California.

But Ms Carrick said being selected for screening in Cracow is an extra special honour. She believes the film's hard-hitting storyline was something that appealed to the festival organisers.

She said: “Poland has a special interest in cinema with a social conscience and the festival has recognised the importance of this short because of its message about domestic violence.

“We're very excited about visiting Cracow. It's great for the work to be recognised at such a prestigious level. Friday Night Shirt is such an emotional story and it will be fascinating to see what sort of an impact it has on a Polish audience.”

n. Have you seen the film? What do you think of it being included in the Polish festival? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Work on the film project started early last year, when Red Rose Chain set up a drama project with a group of young women from Great Yarmouth.

The women were all taking part in a support project for vulnerable young women run by the Christian charitable organisation, GFS Platform.

During a series a workshop sessions, the group began to improvise a storyline and script for a short film based on the emotional issue of domestic violence.

Red Rose Chain heard that Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling was willing to help fund projects aimed at helping women in abusive relationships - they wrote her a letter and she agreed - through her Trust - to donate money towards the film.

Friday Night Shirt, was made featuring the Great Yarmouth group of women plus one professional actor - Jimmy Grimes of Red Rose Chain.