FILMING has begun for stunning new movie Cold Caller after creative Cirencester duo Phil and George both successfully raised £2,700 in just 30 days.

And it was partially thanks to Standard readers, as the pair said they received some substantial donations after an article was printed about the movie at the beginning of February.

Director Phil Cook, 49, and producer George Collings, 19, are striving to create a short film to enter in national festivals.

They have worked together before making short films for businesses and individuals in the Cotswolds, most recently creating a short promotion video for Peppers sandwich shop in Cirencester.

Wanting to step up their game, they launched a fundraising campaign on website Kickstarter to generate enough cash to make a short 12-minute film called Cold Caller, starring well-known Cotswold actress and otter lover Daphne Neville.

They were overjoyed to reach their target last month and have now begun filming.

"It's just going swimmingly," said Phil, who recently starred in the TV adaption of JK Rowling's novel The Casual Vacancy. "We also have actor Peter Stenson starring in it. He worked with William Hartnell in the very first episodes of Doctor Who in 1963. His signatures are selling on eBay!"

Phil added that he was very dubious when the campaign started but was blown away when they successfully raised all the money needed.

"It's going really well," he said. "It's lovely that the whole team have the same goals in mind. We need to get a composer and edit it but it should be ready in May."

The duo will be entering the movie into film festivals all across the UK and are even thinking about putting on a special showing at Corinium Museum.

Visit facebook.co.uk and search for Cold Caller to donate to the movie project.