A FILMMAKER has been nominated for a Bafta for her moving documentary about a band with disabilities - and how they coped when one of their mentors died.

Disabled Not Defeated: The Rock Band With Learning Disabilities – Delta 7 originally began as a film about the success of post punk band Delta 7, whose members all have learning disabilities.

Director Rosie Baldwin, originally from Bognor, said she wanted to highlight the way the group defy stereotypes, their talents and quirky personalities.

But two months into filming, tragedy struck when the band’s good friend and music mentor, Tom Salway, took his own life at the age of 24.

The resulting film was very different from what Rosie set out to do - but became a way to honour Tom's memory and his inspiring work, as well as showing the healing power of music.

The Argus: Delta 7 onstage at Every Sort of People FestivalDelta 7 onstage at Every Sort of People Festival

Now the 20-minute documentary has been nominated for a Bafta in the Short Form Programme category.

Rosie said: "It's amazing. I never expected it to be nominated - it was a huge shock.

"This little project just started out as as a small idea to show this rock band who had learning disabilities just doing what they wanted and refusing to be labelled.

"It took a really tragic turn and grew into a much bigger story.

"It does feels strange to be celebrating when the film is tinged with so much sadness around Tom's death.

"For me it feels amazing in terms of disability representation.

"It's the band who people have connected with and it's their story, told in their own way - and it's amazing for this to be recognised by Bafta.

"I'm beyond happy for them."

Rosie said members of Delta 7 are "over the moon" at the news.

The Argus: Director Rosie BaldwinDirector Rosie Baldwin

The seven-piece band from Brighton and Eastbourne formed seven years ago after completing a music course run by Culture Shift, an organisation which supports different groups across Sussex through creativity.

Director at Culture Shift Julia Roberts, who also features in the film, said the Bafta nomination "feels like a fairytale".

She said: "This is a film that Rosie financed entirely herself.

"It started out as a film about a bunch of people who simply enjoyed making music together.

"Two months into filming, one of the musicians who supported the band died by suicide and shock and grief hit us all.

"We discussed together whether or not the filming should continue, indeed whether the band would continue, and decided together that it should.

"The resulting film Rosie has made speaks of love and loss, disability, mental health and the strength we all find in music, humour and being part of something.

"The band and their following of friends, family and fans are thrilled and whether the Bafta goes to Rosie or not, we think she deserves it.

"We will always be hugely grateful to her for making such a beautiful and important film."

The documentary, originally released on Vice TV, has now been seen by over 40,000 people across the world on different platforms.

The winners will be announced in the Bafta awards ceremony on June 6.

To watch the film, visit www.cultureshift.org.uk/delta-7films.