UK Short film 'The Conkerers' has won a Bronze Palm Award at the 2009 Mexico International Film Festival and is in contention for the Best Category Award beating off entries from over 30 countries.

While here on home turf, the film scooped a Bronze International Visual Communications Award for Best Direction at London's Grosvenor House Hotel. A triumph against stiff competition the internationally recognised accolade is a first for Dene Films.

The brainchild of UK Director Steven Boyle 'The Conkerers' was commissioned by Amazing Learning to capture the essence of enterprising behaviour in youngsters. Co-written with Chris Chapman of Dene Films, the adult humour parodied some of their favourite films and injected a sense of nostalgic camaraderie.

Shot in Newcastle over an intense 3 days the short film was set in a school, where a frantic underground contest is being fought with the strangest of weapons: that great British institution, the conker.

Explaining the creative concept Director Steven Boyle, says "I've always had a love affair with my Conkers and I'm so happy I got to make film featuring them! The production involved an insane amount of work but it was great fun. We spent a lot of time thrashing out the script and finding the right cast, which is always a priority for me. Most importantly I had the backing of a great team. I'm genuinely honoured by these awards.

Steven Salam, Managing Director of Dene Films adds "I am delighted that we are being recognised on an International level for our creative work".

The awards continue Dene Films 2009 winning streak adding to the 3 Royal Television Society Awards (RTS Company of the year, RTS Professional Excellence Craft Sound and RTS Best Production for a Niche and Target Audience Non Fiction ) received in February boosting a position as one of the largest film and television companies in the UK.