A YOUNG deaf girl from Upper Stratton has bagged the lead role in a short film.

Maisie Sly auditioned for the role in The Silent Child after her parents replied to a Facebook post by the director looking for a deaf child who communicates entirely through sign language.

The film’s creators were blown away by the five-year-old’s acting and her instant rapport with writer and co-star Rachel Shenton.

Maisie was chosen out of 100 other deaf and hard-of-hearing auditionees for the part.

Her dad Gilson was thrilled by his little girl’s star turn.

He said: “She loved it. She was really excited when she learned that she got the part.

“Opportunities like this don’t come along very often for deaf children.

“It shows that just because she can’t hear doesn’t mean she can’t achieve anything.”

The film was made to raise awareness of the issues around hearing impairment and improve audiences’ understanding of the condition.

The Silent Child is about a young girl called Libby, a child born to a hearing family who struggle to communicate with their daughter.

She grows up isolated and develops behavioural problems until a social worker played by Miss Shenton comes in to help.

The film was made after nine months of fundraising and is currently being edited ready to be entered into film festivals at the end of May.

Miss Shenton said: “This movie is very special to me, I’m thrilled that it’s almost finished and that we found Maisie, she really is every inch the leading lady.”

Maisie is profoundly deaf and moved to Swindon with her mum Elizabeth and dad Gilson four years ago so that she could go to Red Oaks Primary School.

Mr Sly said: “The way the school has encouraged her and supported her in her learning and social development played a huge role in making her the confident young lady she is today.”

He added that Maisie’s loved being a film star so much that she wants to continue pursuing her newfound love of acting.

He said: “They said she was one of the best actors they’d ever worked with because she’s incredibly focused.

“Maisie hadn’t mentioned wanting to act before but she’s really enjoyed the experience and wants to do more films.

“She said the best bit was befriending Rachel, her and the director Chris have become close family friends, it’s been amazing.”