A short film made by students from the University of Winchester has won the “Best Ensemble Acting” award at the International Film Festival Manhattan.

Children of the Valley was made by third-year film production students, and premiered internationally on Friday, October 11 in New York.

The film is set and shot entirely in Abercarn, Wales, the hometown of the writer, director and executive producer of the film, Benjamin Phillips.

It is inspired by Phillips’ experiences growing up in the small town in the valleys and expresses the feeling of unknowing about his place in the world or where life will take him when he grows up.

Filming Children of the Valley Filming Children of the Valley (Image: Morgan Mitchener-Banks)

“We were just focused on the good grade at the time, we weren’t really thinking about international film festivals,” Phillips said. 

Ollie Trowern, director of sound and colourist for the film, said: “We were all so into what we were doing, and I think that does show.”

Robert Ferrin, the course leader for film production at the University of Winchester, was delighted about his students’ accolade.

He said: “I’m really proud of this group of students and what they’ve been able to achieve mere months after leaving university.

“To be selected for any kind of film festival is amazing, but to go on and win an award is just outstanding, so we’re all really proud of them.”

The students are also nominated for “Best Film” award at the Graddies, which is only for graduating film students, taking place at the Vue in London’s White City.

Ben Dunks, producer for the piece, said: “To win that would be mental. We’re also going with another group [from Winchester], so if either one of us won that, it would be incredible.”

  • This article was written by Morgan Mitchener-Banks from the University of Winchester