ANDREW Shortell is proud as punch that his first film has finally made it to the big screen.

The 40-year-old from Cheltenham began working on Psych:9 in 2006 but it has taken until now for it to reach the cinema.

As producer and director of the psychological thriller, he is delighted it is being premiered in London today.

He said: "It's been quite a struggle but that's what has made this moment really great."

The former Cheltenham Grammar School pupil only went into the movie business five years ago after previously having organised catering events in Washington DC.

He moved to Los Angeles to attend film school and later made two short movies that were shown at American film festivals.

Psych:9 is his first feature-length film.

It stars emerging American actress Sara Foster as a woman who takes a job organising patient records at a recently-closed hospital.

Working alone at night, she experiences a series of disturbing events that may be connected to a string of gruesome murders.

Michael Biehn, who starred in Terminator II: Judgement Day and Saw, is also among the cast.

Although set in the US, the film was actually shot in the Czech Republic, with much of the post-filming production work being done in London. It cost $5 million to make, over 18 months.

A relatively low-budget independent film, it was financed by a production company Andrew set up with long-term friend Peter de Bourcier.

Andrew said: "I think it's a good film. It's not going to win an Oscar but in this kind of genre, it's a little different. I'm very proud of it.

"To actually have it coming out in cinemas, rather than just on DVD or at festivals, is a big deal. I'm very happy."

He lives with his wife Marielle and two-year-old son Piers just outside Washington DC, having left Cheltenham when he was 20 because his dad's job with GCHQ took him to the US.

He has been spending time back in Cheltenham, as his parents and sister still live in the town, before heading to London for today's premiere.

Making Psych:9 is not the first time he has mixed with famous faces.

While organising top-class catering events in Washington DC, he met President Clinton and President Bush, as well as several other heads of state. He had studied catering at Gloscat while in Cheltenham.

For more information about the film, visit www.psych9.com.