A director who shot multiple scenes in Kent for film alongside military advisor to Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes, has won a number of international accolades.

Thomas Gardner filmed his debut 'The Fronts of War' at Detling showground, Maidstone and Keswick, Cumbria.

The 25-year-old from the Lake District, directed alongside Andy Robertshaw, who is credited as being military advisor to some of Hollywood's biggest releases, such as Steven Spielberg's War Horse and Sam Mendes' BAFTA winning 1917.

The film focuses on Lieutenant Albert Draycott (Adam Grindley) in the First World War, who discovers one of his fellow soldiers and closest friends, William Mawlbury (Aaron Fraiser), is concealing a secret from him which could cause damage to his marriage back home.

Albert has to decide who his real enemy is - The Germans or William.

The two actors attended the University of Central Lancashire, with Adam studying the same course as filmmaker Thomas, graduating a year after him with a degree in Theatre.

Parts of the film were shot at Detling showground, which is home to the Centre for Experimental Military Archaeology (CEMA), a site which has over 2,000 years of history.

CEMA is a 'pan-historical experimentation' involving the methods of military attack and defence, and of soldiers’ day-to-day lives, from the Roman period to the Second World War.

They work in collaboration with the University of Kent and Wessex Archaeology to provide research and educational experiences using cutting-edge technology, the arts, and traditional means.

An early study of the area uncovered evidence of a Roman watchtower, Saxon fortifications, and a well-preserved Norman motte-and-bailey.

The site has hosted a number of film and production visits since Thomas' debut, including Channel 4's three-part historical series, 48 hours to Victory with Dermot O’Leary, which aired last December.

Thomas said: "Shooting in Kent was such an amazing experience for myself and the cast. Filming in a location such as Andy provided to us brought the project to life.

"At the time, we couldn't travel abroad due to Covid restrictions and the trench Andy and his team at CEMA had built was nothing short of spectacular."

He added: "We were also incredibly fortunate to be the first film crew to shoot in the trench.

"The response we have had from not only festivals around the world, but from people at home has been incredible and it is a part of my life I will always cherish.

"This was definitely a passion project and the films success is just as much of the cast and crews as it is mine. This could not have been done without them."

The Fronts of War has now won 15 accolades and five nominations across the globe, including the Jury Award for Best Director at the Europe Film Festival in Holland, Best International Short Film at three festivals in India and Best Short Film in London, Italy and Japan.

The film was co-written with screenwriter Olivia Lewis-Brown and starred actors Adam Grindley and Aaron Fraiser, who was also nominated Best Actor at the Golden Short Film Festival in Italy for his portrayal as Private William Mawlbury.

Thomas' directorial debut was released to the public on YouTube on April 1.

You can watch the short film here.