After three years of sleepless nights and a few tears, the film 1500 Steps is sweet vindication for director and producer Josh Reid.

The Fernhill resident will proudly present his first Australian feature film at the red carpet premiere at the Ritz Cinema, Randwick, on November 12.

Reid describes 1500 Steps as a cross between Chariots of Fire and The Karate Kid - a coming-of-age drama set in Cronulla, with a screenplay by Maureen Gibbons, who financed the film.

It tells the story of 16-year-old Jonas "Jobe" O'Brien, a misfit and loner, played by newcomer Alex Fechine. His mother is dead and he lives with his alcoholic father, an ex-champion runner.

Jobe has his dad's running ability, but encounters massive obstacles and must dig deep to decide what sort of man he wants to be.

The film, which cost just under $100,000, features Illawarra residents in the 92-strong cast and crew - Brad Weightman plays a sports coach, Sam Gillespie is a sound mixer/recorder and Michael Baker made a "making of" documentary. Ten of the 40 extras, including Reid's family, are also locals.

Reid, who also works full time as the manager of Pulse 94.1 FM, said finishing the film was "a big release" and he cried when it was completed.

"There's been sleepless nights, anxiety and some nightmarish obstacles we had to overcome.

"We ... could have given up, but we didn't - we kept pushing through and ended up with a really good film."

Unlike most Hollywood films about losers becoming winners under their own steam, Reid said the film focused on the hero succeeding with the help of others.

Distributors were being sought in Australia and Gibbons had headed to the US to attract interest there. Reid said he hoped to show the film in Wollongong before Christmas.

Tickets for the 1500 Steps premiere cost $15.

Tickets, Information: 1500steps.com