A PORTISHEAD schoolgirl is hoping to follow in her mum’s footsteps and become an actress.

Melissa Rowlands, aged 13, has been selected to appear in an independent science fiction film after watching rehearsals of a movie for which her mum Cheryl was casting director.

With her experience of film and drama, Cheryl was asked to help out on the production side of Runland, a short film written by media practice student Dan Gittens.

However it was not long before director Jack O’Dowd, who is well known for his work in the film industry overseas, asked Melissa, who was watching from the sideline, to appear in the film.

Runland is a film about two brothers who find a door to another world in their uncle’s inheritance.

It tackles a variety of subjects including the perils of the toy industry, a goddess with a penchant for landscape gardening and a wormhole in a shed.

Cheryl said: “It’s a great opportunity for Melissa to be involved in this film. You don’t get many British science fiction or fantasy films nowadays but Dan and Jack are set to change all that.”

The film premieres in Bristol this month before featuring in European film festivals.