A film created by students at Coleg Menai has won an award at a Cardiff LGBTQ+ film festival.
'Dysgu Hedfan,' a short film made by the students, scooped the Community Award at the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival.
The film focuses on the story of Erin, played by Gwenno Evans, who grows wings as she develops romantic feelings for best friend Alaw, played by Ffion Jones.
The film was produced as part of the 2024 edition of It's My Shout, a collaborative effort allowing budding Welsh talent to create unique dramas for BBC and S4C.
For over a decade, Coleg Menai has produced two films per year as part of It's My Shout, one in English and one in Welsh.
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Performing arts students feature in the films, while creative media and art and design students take care of everything from make-up and set design to filming.
Dysgu Hedfan (Learning to Fly) was directed by Juliette Manon and written by Megan Angharad Hunter.
Paul Edwards, the creative arts manager for Coleg Menai, said: "We’re really excited and proud to be involved with Dysgu Hedfan and really pleased for our learners who worked so diligently on the film.
"This award is testament to their hard work.
"Winning this award also shows the value of our relationship with It’s My Shout.
"This success wouldn’t be possible without It’s My Shout, S4C, and the BBC, and the way they’ve supported us over the years."
The film was broadcast on S4C and its youth platform Hansh and remains available on YouTube.
Having won the Iris Prize Community Award, it will now gain more exposure at festivals throughout the UK and beyond.
This award is given to films made by non-professionals, grassroots groups, and those without full funding.
Mr Edwards added: "It’s really pleasing to see films being created in North Wales with young learners who are just starting their careers.
"Having this recognition is fantastic for them and is a great jump-start for their careers."
At the time of filming, the cast of Dysgu Hedfan were studying Level 3 Performing Arts at Coleg Menai in Bangor.
Ffion is now studying Level 4 Musical Theatre at the college, while Gwenno is in the second year of her drama degree at Aberystwyth University.
This year’s It’s My Shout films were premiered at the Bangor campus on Wednesday, October 22.
Coleg Menai students starred and worked behind the scenes on Pants and Esblygiad, which will be televised on BBC and S4C in the near future.
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