T4’s Will Best launched an innovative anti-smoking film competition in Hackney on Saturday.

The presenter from Channel 4’s teen daytime entertainment show came to the Tomlinson Centre in Queensbridge Road to announce Hackney Cut Films, which will see young filmmakers persuading their friends to never try smoking and to give up if they already do.

The competition organized by The Deborah Hutton Campaign charity and the NHS’ Smokefree Hackney asks young people in the borough to research the local issues that they and their friends face regarding smoking.

They are then asked to make a two minute short film and upload it to the competition website and share it on social media.

“This competition actually gives young people some credit,” said Will.

“This isn’t about adults telling them what to do, it’s a short film competition in which young people do the research and make the films for their friends and gives young people in the Hackney the chance to do something genuinely creative.”

The competition runs until April 2013, and national awards take place in July 2013.

For more information, visit www.cutfilms.org/hackney.