A Birmingham BAFTA-winning film director is going all-out to prove quality movies can be made without leaving an epic-sized carbon footprint.

Millions of pounds are thrown at big Hollywood productions and often involve the construction of elaborate sets and transportation of truck loads of equipment.

But Michael Clifford, who won a BAFTA in 2004 for his short film Brown Paper Bag, plans to shoot his next movie without the use of any mechanised vehicles in a bold bid to protect the environment.

The 44-year-old said he intended to trial such a logistical operation by mobilising equipment, required for the final scenes of his latest movie Turbulence, on his beloved bicycle.

His task was to transfer a guitar from his home in Kings Heath to the John Catlow dubbing suite in the Jewellery Quarter to record actors’ voices for lines ‘off mic’ and a section of guitar for the final gig scene.

While not easy, it was achievable and convinced the cycling enthusiast that a no-budget, no-pollution feature film was feasible.

“I’d certainly like to give it a try,” he said.

“With Turbulence, the rule of thumb was to shoot the film within walking distance of my house.

“But that did not account for moving the equipment.

“What I’m thinking is to take it further and on a much bigger scale.

“I’m trying to build on that and see whether it’s possible to make a film on a broad scale using only pedal power.”

Turbulence, shot almost entirely in Kings Heath and with local actors, is a romantic comedy which charts an events manager’s last-ditch attempt to save his music venue from closing.

More by accident than design, his do-or-die battle of the bands competition, featuring a rapping transvestite, some precocious indie rockers and a bar maid with a golden voice, proves an unparalleled success and saves the venue.

The film is now in the post-production phase and is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

Cast and crew will be invited to premieres at the Hare and Hounds pub, where much of the movie was shot, soon after the film is finished before it is released to the wider public in September. It is only the second full-length feature film Michael has directed, working on both occasions with producer Natasha Carlish.

Since 1994 he has directed documentaries, drama and gallery installations for Channel 4, BBC, Channel 5, UK Film Council and The Arts Council.

Two of his documentaries, Danger UXO and The Man Who Wouldn’t Paint Hitler, won Royal Television Society awards.

Follow Michael Clifford’s blog on the Birmingham Post website at www.birminghampost.net/michaelclifford