A low budget short horror film shot in County Durham has already been viewed thousands of times and picked up a nomination for an international award.
Just over a week after releasing his latest film, award-winning director Dean Midas is smashing his own personal records.
The Devil's Stone has already been watched nearly 15,000 times on YouTube and Facebook - record for one of his films, at this early stage - just a week since its premiere at the Odeon Luxe cinema in Durham.
Not only that, but American online film festival, Without Your Head, has officially selected Tjhe Devil's Stone - meaning it now also has a chance of winning awards.
Mr Midas, from Willington, said: "Since the Premiere in Durham,this whole week has been a blur and completely overwhelming.
"The support for my film has been unreal and I can't thank everyone enough."
The film features an A-list cast, including American actor Roger L Jackson who is the voice of Ghostface in the Scream franchise and provides the chilling voiceover at the start of The Devil's Stone.
Ellie Darcey-Alden - who played Lily Potter in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 and Franny in a Doctor Who Christmas special - and Dick Warlock, who played Michael Myers in Halloween 2, also feature in the horror short.
All of Mr Midas's’s films are shot using mobile phones, using mainly North East locations, actors and crew. This has led to them gaining international recognition at several film festivals.
The Park Head Hotel, in Bishop Auckland, The Witham in Barnard Castle and The Blue Stone Tea Shop, Crook, were all used as locations for his latest film.
The Devil’s Stone is the central feature of the landscaped area outside the council offices in the centre of Crook.
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It is thought to be over 10,000 years old and called the Devil’s Stone because it is said if you run seven times around it, the devil himself will appear.
Mr Midas's take on the legend includes his new horror character, Sayer Hicks, played by Wayne Thompson, who he hopes will be seen as the new Michael Myers.
The Devil's Stone is out now and can be watched via https://youtu.be/65vdMKIjPF4?si=c-tQ521LFKqXScuA
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