THE release of a modern western is finally in sight after being backed by a producer and scheduled to feature in a North-East film festival documentary chronicling its 14 years in the making.

In 2004, Ben Race started shooting his first, unnamed feature-length film with dreams of winning global recognition but a decade-and-a-half later he is still working hard to complete it.

In recent months progress has picked up thanks to actor and producer Craig Conway, who is working with the 36-year-old on the movie, dubbed The Film with No Name, to get it finished.

Meanwhile Mr Race’s long labour of love has been condensed into a 40-minute documentary showing at Newcastle International Film Festival this month.

Originally of Kirk Merrington, near Spennymoor, the writer and director now lives in his company Capture Films’ Newton Aycliffe factory which allows him to save on overheads and focus financially on his movie.

“Never in my life did I think it would take 14 years,” he said. “I went to university and did one or two little jobs but always wanted to make films.

"I never had the courage and was advised strongly by teachers and peers against it.

“The idea was, naively, that I would set it (the company) up and somebody would give me £100,000 and I would make the film and get an Oscar.

"After a week I realised this wouldn’t work. I started doing corporate work and run a pretty good business and the business has paid for it all.”

The film itself is described by Mr Race as a modern western or road movie about a washed up bounty hunter who has been saving money to get out of town but gets a chance of a job he cannot turn down.

With a cast of around ten actors and with only about 25 lines of dialogue, it has been shot in the North-East but has no specific setting in time or place.

Since starting out Mr Race has spent about £200,000 on the film - the majority on wages, accommodation and travel expenses for actors.

The cash has also covered the cost of five prop cars - one of which was stolen and had to be replaced.

"This was just one of many hurdles Mr Race has faced.

Six years ago the filmmaker’s office roof collapsed and destroyed footage which had to be shot again while some funds went towards a wig for the lead actor whose head was shaved midway through the 14-year journey.

He plans to complete the film in the next five months and hopes the self-made documentary tracking its making will drive interest.

It will show at Cineworld, at The Gate, Newcastle, at 8pm on Friday, March 30. To book tickets search for NIFF 2018: 14 Years - The Making of a Film With No Name on eventbrite.co.uk