Graduates from the University of Lincoln mingled with Hollywood heavyweights after their short film, shot for a University project, was accepted for the Cannes Film Festival.

Cal Johnson and Stephen Milnes originally produced their featurette Cottonmouth last year as part of director Cal’s MA in Media Production at Lincoln’s School of Media. The duo has since formed their own production company, Doncaster-based Bodyswerve Productions, teaming up with producer Martin Bushby.

Cottonmouth, a darkly comic story about an aspiring stand-up comedian, premiered at the inaugural Doncaster Little Film Festival last November where it was praised in film and TV press before being accepted into the Court Métrage (Short Film Corner) at Cannes.

The filmmakers have just returned from the famous festival in the south of France, which this year takes place between 16th and 27th May.

Director Cal said the trio, whose company has only been in operation a matter of months, was delighted to have the opportunity to showcase their work to leading lights in the global film industry.

“Cannes is the benchmark for artistic integrity within cinema, and the opportunity to have our little film from South Yorkshire connected with such a global celebration of cinematic quality is just incredibly exciting – an amazing opportunity for us as we start our journey into the film industry,” he said.

Martin said having their film shown at Cannes – the biggest festival of its kind in the world – was the perfect opportunity for Bodyswerve to network, pitch and get their name known.

He said: “It’s one of the few times you will get most of the film industry in one place for two weeks and our aim was to build up our profile and showcase the kinds of films we have been making in Doncaster.”

In 2011 Bodyswerve helped The Little Theatre set up the first ever Doncaster Little Film Festival, which has just been confirmed for its second year in June 2012. In March this year the company shot their second short film, Vacant, which is currently in post-production and will be submitted to festivals soon.