Hamish Rothwell has won the Young Film Maker of the Year award for his first feature film, Stickmen, a caper about a group of pool-playing mates.

The director was presented with more than $20,000 in cash and facilities for his next film project at a ceremony in Auckland last night.

The award is presented by the Screen Producers and Directors Association.

Rothwell, 31, is a graduate of the London Film School and has worked in the industry for five years.

James Cunningham, who is working on The Lord of the Rings, was runner-up for his short film Infection.

The two other finalists were Paul Swadel and Gregory King.