A FILMMAKER from Southend has shot his first feature length in Malaysia which will screen at the upcoming Horror-on-Sea film festival.

Scott McQuaid is a Southend-born director, producer and teacher now working and living in Malaysia.

His debut film “Space Ninjas”, which he shot in Kuala Lumper in the country last year, will be screening at the Horror-on-Sea film festival in Southend in January.

Mr McQuaid said: “Last year I shot my movie here in KL and the lead actress, Yi Jane is a Chinese Malay who is currently studying in England.

“Space Ninjas is a B-movie horror, comedy, sci-fi, and martial art movie.

“Five high school misfits are called for detention on a Saturday night by their teacher but as the night closes in an elite group of Space Ninjas begin their invasion on the secluded school.

“After the Space Ninjas kill the teacher, the students are left to fend for themselves, as they try to escape the school grounds and survive the night.”

Mr McQuaid started his career studying the film industry in Hong Kong, working under such acclaimed directors such as Herman Yau and Tsui Hark.

With a BA (Hons) in Performing Arts and MFA in Film-Making, he has directed for both stage and screen for the past twenty years.

“Space Ninjas” will screen at the festival on January 20, with Yi Jane attending. The film also stars Dirk Benedict from Battlestar Galactica, Brian Narelle from the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why and veteran actor Jon T. Benn from The Man With The Iron Fists.

Mr McQuaid added: “The film has distribution interest from Malaysia, the UK and US and I’m thrilled to be screening it in my home town of Southend where my filmmaking life began.”

To book, visit www.horror-on-sea.com.

To view the Space Ninjas trailer, visit https://vimeo.com/280284168.