GIVE Them Wings, an upcoming film about the struggle of North-East man whose battle with meningitis as a child left him disabled, has won a major award at a film festival.

Give Them Wings is the life story of Quakers fan Paul Hodgson, which has been over a decade in the making.

The film – dubbed as the next i, Daniel Blake by its director – has won Best British Feature at the London Independent Film Awards.

Darlington man Mr Hodgson, who helped write the screenplay with director Sean Cronin after years of campaigning to tell his story, was diagnosed with childhood meningitis at ten-months-old.

His parents were told he would never move or speak.

Mr Hodgson, known as Flipper to his fellow football supporters, said: "This is absolutely brilliant news for us, there were over 3,000 entries. It's like Darlo getting to the 4th Round of the FA Cup."

%image('12200900', type='article-full', caption='Director Sean Cronin and Darlington man Paul Hodgson', alt='Director Sean Cronin and Darlington man Paul Hodgson')

Director Sean Cronin, who has worked on the likes of Harry Potter and Mission Impossible, said: "I'm really delighted it has won this award. We're on our way.

"While there is no good thing about the pandemic, it has allowed us more time instead of rushing to finish the film ahead of the Oscar qualifiers' submission date.

"I've spent nine months at home editing this film, my social life is the supermarket."

Due to the pandemic delaying large awards ceremonies like the Baftas and Oscars, Mr Cronin says he is aiming for 2022 recognition after the film makes its way through festivals.

He hopes Give Them Wings bags awards at other Oscar qualifiers, with the main ones being Sundance and Raindance festivals.

"It's easy to be precious as the director, but we're not. We're listening to advice to make sure the film is good enough for big awards."

%image('12200901', type='article-full', caption='Director Sean Cronin shooting at Darlington FC's Blackwell Meadows', alt='Director Sean Cronin shooting at Darlington FC's Blackwell Meadows')

Mr Cronin says there have been many different edits of Give Them Wings, with the one bagging Best British Feature only being cut three weeks ago.

The tear-jerking story attracted a cast including Toyah Willcox and film newcomer but previous Byker Grove actor Daniel Watson, who plays Mr Hodgson.

The film dives into his relationship with his father, who in the trailer can be heard saying "I was robbed of the son I should have had".

A release date for Give Them Wings has not yet been set.

  • Correction: It was first reported at Give Them Wings won at London Independent Film Festival, but it was in fact London Independent Awards