It’s often hard for a musician to cross that tricky threshold into “musician *slash* actor”, but Dougie Poynter is doing just that, and doing it well. Best known for making our teenage hearts flutter as the bassist in pop-rock hons McFly, Poynter is now showing off his acting skills with new short, AWAKEN, produced in collaboration with River Island.

Having done indie films and shorts in the past, alongside – of course – 2006’s Academy Award-snubbed Just My Luck (I still don’t understand how a film with McFly, LiLo and Chris Pine doesn’t at least get a Golden Glob nod), AWAKEN is a clear indication of the talent that Dougie has.

“Me and my mate Dave (everyone has one) wrote it about a year ago,” Dougie says. “We wanted to make a short film that told a story without much dialogue. Me and Dave have worked with each other for about eight years now, he used to do all the behind the scenes stuff for McFly. So we just kind of rounded up our only other two friends and made the film for under £400.”

Following the emotional story of a man struggling after the death of his partner, the story was inspired by Dougie’s grandma. “My nan had just turned 70 and only just started dating again,” he explains. “Her husband Douglas (who I’m named after) died 30 years ago. I always wondered if she could speak to him during those 30 years what would he say to her? Probably ‘Stop moping around and get on with your life…and whilst you’re at it make me some cheese on toast!'”

A stunningly shot film, it’s a beautiful and poignant story impeccably delivered by Dougie and his co-star Ella-Rae Smith. Hopefully the start of what will be his blossoming career on the silver-screen, Dougie’s already working on his next role. “I’ve started a feature called Kat And The Band with a lovely lady called Ella Hunt, and Esther Hegarty is directing. It’s kind of like Juno meets Catch Me If You Can.” We’ll see you in the box office queue.