Sweet success at Oscars

GARY Oldman’s Academy Award may have grabbed the headlines but, for me, the true winners of the night were two former Hollyoaks stars whose film won an Oscar after being funded through cupcakes.

The Silent Child, which tells the story of a girl who struggles to communicate, was named best live action short film. It stars Maisie Sly, aged six, and Rachel Shenton, who played Mitzeee Minniver in the Channel 4 soap. Shenton used sign language in her acceptance speech. It was directed by her fiance Chris Overton who played Hollyoaks cage fighter, Liam Mcallister.

The film follows social worker Joanne (Shenton) as she bonds with Libby after her formative years in silence have left her withdrawn and angry.

After receiving their award, Shenton and Overton paid tribute to their parents’ ability to cook and sell cupcakes which helped fund the €11,000 movie.

Overton’s parents baked them, and Shenton’s mother and partner sold them as the couple raised funds. Rising stars these two.