Drew Barrymore proves she is as good at making films as she is at starring in them.

Whip It is the former child star's directorial debut.

The film follows Bliss Canvendar, a small town girl from Texas, who secretly joins a roller skating team in a bid to escape a life controlled by her mother.

The film has already made almost £10 million in the States and stars Oscar-nominated actress Ellen Page (Juno) and Drew Barrymore, who also jumps from director to actress playing roller skater Smashley Simpson.

Barrymore's decision to use a mainly female cast has left it filled with girl power and an infectious upbeat energy.

Whip It is a sports film mixed with serious and comic moments and should appeal to a broad range of film fans.

The film has been nominated for a Bronze Horse at the Stockholm Film Festival and promises to be a big hit this Spring.