A film-making star is born...

A PORTISHEAD film student has won a prestigious award at a ceremony at London’s Leicester Square Odeon.

Former Gordano School pupil Sophie Alicia Shaw picked up the award for the Best Film Made By Over 13s at the star-studded First Light Awards on March 15.

The 19-year-old says she is delighted and it was one of the most exciting experiences she has ever had.

She said: “I was surrounded by inspiring people from great directors such as Sir Alan Parker and Sam Mendes to incredible actors and actresses including Miranda Hart, Hugh Dennis, Tom Hiddleston and Tamsin Greig.

“The judges panel consisted of some of the biggest names in the industry such as Daniel Craig, Terry Gilliam, Sienna Miller and Nick Frost. It really was awesome.”

Sophie is one of a small group of students involved in making The Box, a film that presents a dramatic observation of family life. It involves a father struggling to find work during a recession and is shot in a living room, centred around the television .

The award was presented by actor and writer Ralf Little and actress Michelle Ryan.

The film was judged and reviewed by Paul Greengrass, director of The Bourne Ultimatum, and Misfits’ Iwan Rheon, against three other films from Birmingham, London and Dundee.

It was the 10th anniversary of the First Light Awards Ceremony run by the chairman of First Light, Barbara Broccoli OBE, and sponsored by Empire Magazine. The ceremony was hosted by Radio 1’s Nick Grimshaw.

The winning film in each category is to be screened prior to the start of feature films in cinemas all over the UK.

Sophie added: “All of us involved with The Box are incredibly proud, especially as for most of us this is our first short film.

“It’s amazing to think that we can share our work with others and I look forward to keep on working in the film industry.”