�In 2010, ambitious young actor Idris Sobande announced his intention to become the first black James Bond.

Now, the 17-year-old of Adolphus Road, Finsbury, also looks set to make a name for himself behind the camera. He has just made his directorial debut in his short film The Bag Swap, which he hopes to enter into several competitions including the Sundance Film Festival.

The six minute film, which has already been met with a positive response on YouTube, was made without funding with the help of friends Denzel Assiamah, 17, of Halliford Street, Islington, and Adnan Abdullahi, 16, of Biggerstaff Street, Finsbury Park.

It was shot over a month in Islington and around the City and follows two men – one played by Idris – as they travel to meet and swap bags, the contents of which are left unknown.

Idris said: “We put a lot of hard work into it but never expected such a positive response.”

He continued: “I have an idea in my head as to what’s in the bag but I wanted to leave it anonymous so that the audience can decide.”

Idris got the acting bug studying drama for GCSE and immediately knew it was for him. He said: “I just felt so comfortable acting. In its way it’s more real than real life. There are no limits. I want to make the audience believe the character is there on stage.”

He joined the Young Actors Theatre, in Barnsbury Road, Islington, and immediately got a part in their production of Billy Elliot. From there, taking care not to lose focus on his GCSEs, he began auditioning, and recently featured in a Channel 4 trailer.

Crowned

Idris, who in July 2010 was crowned the winner of the Jack Petchey Foundation’s Speak Out Challenge, a youth public speaking event, said: “I admire actors like Idris Elba (The Wire) and what they’ve achieved with where they come from.

“I don’t want to be typecast. I want to show my versatility, be funny, be serious.”

“Directing is definitely something to aim for when I’m older, established as an actor. But then maybe I should just do both from a young age. Why not?”

Idris is studying drama, theatre, business and film at St Charles College, North Kensington, and is auditioning and seeking funding for more films.

The Bag Swap can be found on www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVGs10Lxqo8