HE’S just won a best film director award in the heat of Los Angeles.

But Daniel Coll has swapped the Hollywood sunshine for the damp and dismal conditions of his native Brighouse and is ready for his next challenge.

That’s to play Jesus in a production of Godspell at Brighouse Central Methodist Church on Saturday, October 20.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Daniel, an actor and director, who is one of the men behind the amazing success of The Tragedy of Macbeth.

The film, shot on a miniscule £55,000 budget, has picked up three awards in Hollywood at the LA Indie Film Festival.

Marek Oravec took the award for Best Actor for his brilliant turn as Macbeth, Daniel Coll was next up to the podium to collect the nod for Best Director and finally producer Mike Berenger was called up to accept the award for Best Narrative Film.

Marek plays alongside Golden Globe nominee Hannah Taylor Gordon in the film which also features 70s heart-throb Oliver Tobias as the philandering Porter.

The producers set the bloody play in 11th century Scotland as Shakespeare intended but filmed in the snow-soaked Austrian Alps.

But they cast Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as a pair of eager 20-somethings thirsty for fame and fortune and set the story to a very modern music score.

Daniel, who still lives in Brighouse and is an actor with Emmerdale and Coronation Street roles in his portfolio, was ecstatic.

“It was amazing to be in LA, with the sun beating down and all those beautiful bodies out on the beach. But it was also great to get back to Brighouse.

“I’m looking forward to Godspell at the church next month.

“But I’m also looking forward to our next project. We would love to tackle Midsummer Night’s Dream in the same way as Macbeth.

“Macbeth is likely to be brought out on TV next year and it is available as a DVD.

“It is very much aimed at young people and I’d love to hear from schools and colleges in Huddersfield and Brighouse who would like to see it.

“We can offer them a free screening and then gather their reactions.

“I had every confidence in the film, even though the small budget meant we had to be very careful.

“Both Michael and I had tackled Shakespeare in its traditional sense but this was a way of reaching out to a young, modern audience.”

Producer Michael Berenger was delighted with the win. “For the film to do so well on its first outing in the US is fantastic.

“I was over-the-moon for Marek and Danny, but then to win Best Narrative Film ... well, amazing.

“We know the film has a certain something about it, but to get this recognition in Hollywood is an awesome prize for everyone involved with the project.”

The company are now busy planning their next film. They have some funding in place and the LA win will go a long way to gaining more backers for future projects.

The film can be purchased from:

www.macbeththemovie.com