Two schoolboy friends are tipped for stardom after appearing in a rivetting short film about the effects of childhood bullying.

Sam O’Keefe, 15, from Carshalton, and Hytham Sempa, 14, from Sutton, are the latest success stories to emerge from the Brit stage school.

Over the weekend their lead performances in Mum’s Taxi earned praise from industry insiders during a screening at Clapham Picturehouse.

The film follows Sam’s character as he is bullied into shoplifting on an East London estate, despite repeated warnings from his overworked mum.

In a devastating final scene, bad things are shown to happen to good people.

Edith Chappy, the writer, said: “The screening at Clapham Picturehouse went really well. About 60 people were there to see the film.

“We’re hoping to enter it into some festivals and get people interested, such as schools, anti-bullying associations, even road safety organisations.

“Sam and Hytham were so professional for their age, it was a great pleasure to work with them. They understood the characters and were able to give a true performance.”

Nicola O’Keefe, Sam’s mum, said the premiere was a family affair because her daughter and other son were extras.

She said: “Sam and his best friend Hytham have become quite the celebs in our area and people were actually asking for their autographs outside the cinema.

“It was hard to take in watching them on the big screen with the audience clapping and cheering. There is one point where Sam is run over, so that wasn’t particularly easy to watch.”

To see a trailer of the short, or for more details about its young stars and future screenings, go to mums-taxi.co.uk