Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle gave out an award instead of receiving one at a ceremony celebrating budding film-makers.

Youngsters at the Activision First Light Movie Awards in London's Leicester Square were also handed a couple of Oscar statuettes to hold.

Last month, Slumdog Millionaire swept the board at the Oscars, winning eight awards including best film and best director.

The ceremony was also attended by actors Michael Sheen, Sienna Miller, Gavin And Stacey's Joanna Page and Red Riding star Maxine Peake.

Presented by T4's Miquita Oliver and Rick Edwards, the awards recognise young talent.

Activision First Light Movies provides funding and expertise to enable five to 19-year-olds from all backgrounds throughout the UK to make their own short digital films.

Boyle said of the young people: "They don't really need a lot of advice. They just need to keep going."

He added: "Hollywood seems like a long way away. It's not.

"It's always about persistence. Keep going."

He continued: "It's nice to be back and really nice to give out an award. I was very flattered to be asked."

Speaking about the negative coverage that young people often get, Sheen said: "This is something where there is only positive. I think that's amazing."

Asked if he was suffering from an identity crisis, Sheen, who has played a string of real-life people including former prime minister Tony Blair and Sir David Frost, joked: "Yeah, I don't know who I am, to be honest."

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