The entirely independently produced Little Box Of Sweets has its premiere tonight at the ICA in London.

The film, which runs until Aug 28 at the ICA, is the directorial debut of UK-based actress Meneka Das, who also wrote the script. Her sister Sheenu Das produced.

After the ICA, the film goes to the Sheffield Showroom (Sept 5-11), with more screenings being lined up at other independent cinemas across the country. It will also screen at the Chichester Film Festival on Aug 24.

Entirely funded by the two sisters, Little Box of Sweets is a coming of age story, set in Allahabad, North India, about a young girl (Asha) who falls in love with the local Indian Commissioner's son (Seth).

'It is based on my experiences and observations of growing up in this area,' says Meneka Das, who also plays the part of Asha, with Sheenu Das starring as well.

Meneka Das also managed to enlist the help of the late casting director Mary Selway, who cast Joe Anderson- now Hollywood hot property - in the role of Seth.

Little Box of Sweets was shot in Allahabad overfour weeks on a budget of less than $200,000 (£100,000), made up of the sisters' savings and bank loans.

It took two years to complete, with Sheenu Das even selling her house to fund the post production and distribution. They have secured the film's limited theatrical run without the help of a sales company and are now looking for a television deal.

Next up for the sisters, who moved to England from India in the early 1990s, are two very different projects - Meneke Das is working on a small-budget road movie entitled Summer of Our Lives, whilst Sheenu Das is developing a script, Cowboys and Indians, which she hopes turn in to a Hollywood/Bollywood collaboration.

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