Jamie receiving his award from Gurinder Chadha

Jamie Jones, a filmmaker from Hackney, has triumphed at an awards ceremony held at BAFTA in central London with this wonderful short film about a pub in Shoreditch.

Jamie, 34, from Lower Clapton, won the Film London in 90 Seconds category at the Best of Boroughs Film Awards held earlier this month, presented by director Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham).

Film London in 90 Seconds is aimed at new filmmakers, inviting them to tell a story about London in a minute and a half under the theme of “Capital Tales”. Run in 11 boroughs, including Croydon and Tower Hamlets as well as Hackney, the winner receives a cash prize of £500.

When asked why Jamie’s film, Birdcage, was chosen to win, Josic Cadoret, Talent Development Coordinator at Film London, told EastLondonLines: “Birdcage combined awe inspiring photography and music while brilliantly fulfilling the brief to tell a story set in his local area. A great combination of form and content in 90 seconds.”

Birdcage follows three Londoners preparing for a night at a popular karaoke pub in Shoreditch of the same name. Jamie, who used to work for X Factor production company talkbackThames, told the Hackney Gazette: “The idea just came to me as I was sitting in The Birdcage and watching them all singing. There was such a difference between the regulars and the young fashionistas but the two walks of life complimented each other quite well.

“When making the film, I found a lot of these guys were really humble – and had quite isolated, lonely lives. But when they sing, they feel connected to something bigger. I guess the difference with the X Factor is that for the performers at The Birdcage, it is not about fame and money, it is about letting go.”

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said of the competition: “Film is not only sublime entertainment, it’s a revenue generator for London’s economy and as we emerge from the downturn, it’s vital we continue to nurture creative talent. This scheme is a terrific opportunity for future Brit flick-innovators and potential Hollywood blockbuster directors to hone their film-making skills.”

The Birdcage from jamie jones on Vimeo.