Leeds Met graduates scoop Oscar

The film, 'Border Patrol', was created by Peter Baumann, Nishad Chaughule, Simon Bolton-Gabrielsen, Justin Litton and James Gover, all graduates of the Masters' degree in Filmmaking at the University's Northern Film School.

'Border Patrol' won in the Foreign Film category of the 41st Student Academy Awards, a student film competition conducted by the Academy and the Academy Foundation to support and encourage excellence in student filmmaking. The team will travel to LA to attend an awards ceremony, and find out whether they have won gold, silver or bronze, on Saturday 7 June at the DGA Theater in Hollywood.

The students' short film was shot in Germany and tells a story of two German border force officers, Karl and Franz, who, whilst working on patrol on the Austrian border of Germany, come across a dead body hanging in the woods. The team describe how the film "shows us the powerful relationship between the younger cop Karl and the old worldly-wise Franz, while packing a strong comic punch and a strong dose of the macabre."

Producer, Nishad Chaughule, said: "I am stunned and happy at the same time and cannot believe that we have won. I am excited to see what this will bring to my career. Currently I am trying to work on projects in Mumbai, India, and in the UK. I want to create a base in both places to work at - this would be my long term goal. As of now I can't wait to get to LA with the crew and celebrate.

"I want to thank the school and the university for having faith in us and supporting us and also every member of the crew as the film wouldn't be as successful as it is without their contribution."

Larra Anderson, Director of the Northern Film School at Leeds Met, added: "The Northern Film School would like to give our heartfelt congratulations to all the filmmakers involved in the creation of 'Border Patrol'. An Academy Award represents the highest level of achievement in filmmaking and we are tremendously proud of our students for receiving this honour.

"It is fantastic to have the students' work and talents recognised in such a prestigious arena. Congratulations again to Academy Award recipient, writer/director Peter Baumann, and to the entire 'Border Patrol' team. We look forward to seeing what they do next."

The Student Academy Awards was established in 1972 and each year over 500 college and university film students from all over the United States and beyond compete for awards and cash grants, with films being judged in four categories: Animation, Documentary, Narrative and Alternative. The presentation ceremony is a popular event that is annually attended by a capacity audience in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theatre.

Through the Student Academy Awards, the Academy recognises and encourages the most promising new filmmakers. Past winners include Spike Lee, Trey Parker, Bob Saget and Oscar winners John Lasseter and Robert Zemeckis.

In November 2013, Border Patrol won 'Outstanding International Student Film Award' at the International Student Film and Video Festival in Beijing and was selected for Camerimage International Film Festival in Poland which is the world's best festival dedicated to cinematography as well as screenings in festivals in Bucharest and Moldova.

To view a trailer of Border Patrol visit - http://vimeo.com/64956988