The Northern Lights FilmFestival presented the Orange North Star Short Film Award was presented toLondon-based Harry Wootliff for her pitch Trip,which whe will write and direct.

Wootliff previously directedBafta-nominated short Nits. She willmake the new film in the summer of 2007 either on film or digitally andNewcastle-based Yipp Films will produce with The Script Factory serving asscript editors. The film will premiere during the 2007 Northern Lights FilmFestival.

"We were overwhelmed withthe response to this year's call for submissions for the Orange North StarShort Film Award and delighted that we were able to open it up to buddingwriters and director's UK wide due to generous support from Orange," said Stephanie Little, the festival's director.

The prize is the largestshort film production prize in the UK, growing from $58,127 (£30,000) last year to $77,847(£40,000) with Orange's new sponsorship. Last year's winner, Ian Fenton,premiered his short Black Dog duringthis year's festival.

The Newcastle-based festivalalso hosted a pitching forum during its two-day Industry Summit. Cath LeCouteur's pitch for Tayte and Cody won that prize.