KATE DICKIE, the Scots star of sci-fi blockbuster Prometheus, met her match in a group of youngsters from Paisley who have made their own zombie movie.

Kate was in Linwood for the premiere of the 30-minute film Dawn Of The Fegs, which was created by youngsters from Ferguslie Park in Paisley.

And Kate, who as well as starring in Ridley Scott's hit movie, won critical acclaim for her role in the Glasgow-based film Red Road, said she was impressed with the Paisley crew's efforts.

She added: "The cast of Dawn Of The Fegs have real talent and it's a brilliant film.

"Working on something like this is a good way to get noticed. Often this industry is about making the right contact at the right time.

"This kind of thing is fantastic as it really gives the young people a sense of what is possible and what they can achieve.

"It has been wonderful to see the young people's love letter to Ferguslie Park"

The youngsters wrote, directed and starred in the classic zombie short about an undead apocalypse threatening their neighbourhood.

The film and a companion graphic novel, Terror At The Tanny, are part of a community-based project supported by the Scottish Government-backed, Creative Scotland's CashBack for Communities programme.

Fegs is the locally used term for people from Ferguslie Park. The Tanny is the local Tannahill Centre.

The project included 20 'undead' actors aged from 10 to 19. Parents and grandparents were also drafted in to help with costume design and make-up.

Dance workshops were also a key component of the project, along with sessions on how to carve out a career in the film industry led by Kate.

Iain McMillan, Renfrewshire Council's community convener, said: "This project taps into the strong community spirit that exists in Ferguslie Park.

"You can see from the breadth of involvement from five-year olds to 85 year-olds that the film has really made its mark with local people.

"The idea behind the film is that Ferguslie is facing its own zombie apocalypse.

"It tells the story of how local people, and young people in particular, react to defend their homes and families.

"All the filming took place at local locations chosen by the young people. They also had creative control on the content of the film and the graphic novel."

David McDonald, Youth Arts Manager for Creative Scotland, said; "The creative strands of the CashBack programme supports high-quality dance, music and film projects throughout the country.

"Taking part in creative activities can make a real difference to the lives of our children and young people.

"They can provide an opportunity for young people to shine and express themselves, make new friends and learn how to work as part of a group to create a film, dance production or perform a piece of music they've written themselves."

The Zombie Project received £15,000 from the creative strand of the CashBack for Communities programme, delivered by Creative Scotland and supported by the Scottish Government.

Renfrewshire Council contributed around £4000 with additional help and support being provided by St Mirren Football Club, Allsorts, Right2dance and the Tannahill Centre.

ewan.fergus@eveningtimes.co.uk