A DEAF schoolgirl who bagged the starring role in a short film got the surprise of her life when her co-star held a private screening at her school.

Maisie Sly received the red-carpet treatment at Red Oaks Primary School last month with friends, family and teachers gathering in the school hall to watch her acting debut in The Silent Child.

The five-year-old from Upper Stratton wowed the film’s creators in her audition for the lead role.

She was chosen for the part and saw off fierce competition from 100 other deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

Her co-star Rachel Shenton organised the premiere without telling Maisie as a special treat for the little leading lady.

Rachel said: “It was such a wonderful day, Maisie was very surprised and the school pulled out all the stops. We couldn’t have asked for a better response, everyone loved it and I think she gained quite a few fans. Her parents are very proud, they get very teary every time they watch it.”

Maisie’s dad Gilson loved the surprise screening. He said: “It was fantastic, people she didn’t know came up to her and said hello, everyone liked it.

“It was the first time she realised how big what she’d done was, she really enjoyed it.

“People said it opened their eyes and made the issues clearer, which is what it’s all about.”

Maisie decided to try out for the part in the short film after her parents replied to a Facebook post by its director Chris Overton. The filmmakers were searching for a deaf child who communicates entirely through sign language to star in The Silent Child.

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

Maisie plays 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 former Hollyoaks star Rachel, comes in to help.

Maisie and her family will jet off to America next week for the film’s world premiere at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.

Gilson added: “It’s the first time Maisie’s ever been on a plane so she’s very excited.”

The Silent Child will also be screened at the world-famous Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the Holly Short International Film Festival later this year.