However, in these days of ubiquitous mobile phones and on-line social networking sites such as Facebook and Bebo, bullying has become altogether more insidious and sinister.

To help combat this, the Anti-bullying Film Festival which took place on Tuesday night at Boldon School, showed seven short movies which depicted how intimidation can come in many forms.

The idea started with the Stay Safe Children's Group, four school children from across the region – Laura Marulanda, Simran Lajmi, Ali Akhavanrad and Kieron James – who invited schools, projects and clubs to come up with ideas for a short film about the effects of cyber bullying and how to deal with it.

Budding film-makers then pitched their ideas in a Dragon's Den-style screening process, with the seven best ideas securing funding from Mediabox, part of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

These mini-movies were then made with the help of Particp8 Extended Services, which encourages children to take part in community projects, film-making company Jag Productions and South Shields-based actor and singer David Ducasse.

With their films in the can, the festival was a chance for the 80 or so children involved to show off the fruits of their labours and, just like the real Oscars, take home an award in categories such as Best Overall Acting and Best Drama.

Two of those up for awards were Nicole Dexter and William Greener, part of the Neet Vision group which had made the film Holly's Story.

Speaking to us during the interval in the awards William, 18, from Chichester, South Shields, who co-wrote and directed the film, said: "It's about a girl bullied at school who eventually becomes friends with the bullies."

Though often quite stark in its depiction of schoolyard intimidation, so far he'd found the reaction to the film very positive.

He said: "People have said I'm brilliant at making films. I never would have known I'd be any good until I attempted this."

Asked if he thought such films could make a difference to people's attitudes, he replied: "Yes. Bullying is a very bad thing in society that needs to stop. Films like this can help raise awareness."

Regarding their chances of winning the most realistic film award, he was quietly confident.

This mood was shared by Nicole, who thought their film was an authentic look at how physical characteristics are often the first thing to be picked up on by bullies.

"People take the mickey out of others because of their weight, size and how tall they are," she said.

When this then widens to sending abusive text messages or posting spiteful pictures on websites, this can lead to deep distress.

She explained. "We wanted to show how horrible cyber bullying is."

After the interval entertainment was provided by the students of the Suzanne Stuart School Of Dance – who also won an award for Best Overall Teamwork with their routine entitled Dance Attack Against Bullying.

With the six awards given out, the last gong of the night was presented by David Ducasse to Laura Trainor, participation development worker for Particp8 Extended Services, who helped organise the festival.

Pleased with her tongue-in-cheek honorary award as Best Drama Queen, she said: "There's been a lot of build up and sleepless nights for me, but it's all come off really well, and I think the young people are really proud of what they've achieved."

Standing proud in the specially prepared media area outside the school's theatre, Nicole and William were only too happy to show off their splendid glass trophies.

"I'm very pleased to win," said Nicole, and William added: "I'm ecstatic. I never thought I would stand a chance of winning."