"Lastly, a triumph for a low-budget British film in a minor Venice category, New Territories. Nasty Neighbours, a black comedy starring Ricky Tomlinson and Phil Daniels, about the escalating war between the inhabitants of adjoining semis, was enthusiastically received at its public screening.

Writer-director Debbie Isitt made it on a shoestring (partly with a grant from Birmingham City Council), shot it when she was about to give birth and finished it only hours before its Venice showing.

It was worth it. Nasty Neighbours strays on to Mike Leigh territory (though it's more plot-driven) and it has terrific energy and humour. Isitt will clearly be a name to reckon with."