Charlie Chaplins hit London en masse

(AP)

A troupe of Charlie Chaplins took to London streets to shoot a short film to launch Virgin Media Shorts 2011, the UK’s biggest short film competition and the only one which champions undiscovered UK film talent across four screens - at cinemas, on TV, on mobile and online.

The short film, entitled Charlie, was captured by BAFTA nominee Luke Snellin, a talented film maker who won Virgin Media Shorts in 2009 with his film Mixtape.

The short film features a group of ‘Charlies’ performing a tribute to the icon against a backdrop of famous London locations, selected in honour of Charlie Chaplin himself, who spent much of his early life in London. Chaplin is most famous for his acting talent; reprising his role as The Tramp in a number of short films. He also went on to write, direct and produce many feature films, including A Countess from Hong Kong (starring Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando), a path many would-be film makers seek to follow today.

For more information on Virgin Media Shorts and to enter this year’s competition visit virginmediashorts.co.uk.