Film shot in Tooting Bec Common scoops award (From Sutton Guardian)

Film Common People shot in Tooting Bec Common scoops award

10:00am Sunday 17th March 2013 in Freetime By Alexandra Rucki

A film shot entirely in Tooting Bec Common has scooped an international award.

Common People, the brainchild of Kerry Skinner and Stewart Alexander, tells the story of a lost parrot.

The plot revolves around six story-lines, with the tale of the missing bird bringing characters together on the common.

It was filmed in April last year and stars 'Allo 'Allo actor Sam Kelly, as well as children from Wandsworth schools and drama groups.

A story which featured in the Wandsworth Guardian about the idea of the film also encouraged neighbours to sign up as extras.

Mr Alexander, who co-directed the film with wife Ms Skinner, said it delighted American audiences when it was screened at the Sedona International Film Festival.

The film went on to scoop the Independent Spirit Award at the festival, which was held in Sedona, Arizona, last month.

Mr Alexander, 48, of Furzedown, said: "American audiences absolutely loved it.

"They said it is such an original and funny British picture, loved it and it was so uplifting.

"We didn't expect to win it at all. There's an awful video of us somewhere accepting it in absolute shock, and disbelief.

"It was weird being in the desert in Arizona and people said they wanted to come to Tooting Common."

The couple, who worked as actors before making the move to film-making, were inspired to make it after seeing a poster looking for a missing parrot on the common.

A few weeks after they saw another poster saying it had been found and thanking people for reporting sightings.

Plans are now in place to make future films, while Common People will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Visit commonpeoplethemovie.com or facebook.com/commonpeoplethemovie for more information