Vertigo Films has acquired BIFA and Raindance-nominated teen drama Strings from first time film-maker Rob Savage.

Written, directed and co-produced by Savage when he was 18 years-old, he fully funded the production with part time jobs.

The film is described as “a painfully honest teenage romance” about a German exchange student who begins an impulsive and ultimately destructive relationship with a shy British boy in her final weeks before returning to Munich and her warring family.

Vertigo co-founder James Richardson said the acquisition was part of its strategy to “discover and champion exciting new talent”.

The company will distribute the film in spring 2013.