10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scots teen filmmaker wins top award at star-studded ceremony
Edward Ryan, 14, from, has been praised for his powerful short film More Than One Way To Go Homeat the Into Film Awards.
A talented young filmmaker from Scotland has captured hearts across the UK with his own story to win a top prize at an annual star-studded film awards ceremony at Leicester Square.
Edward Ryan, 14, from Sanquhar, in Dumfries and Galloway, took home the coveted Audience Award—voted for by the public and sponsored by Universal Pictures International—for his powerful short film More Than One Way To Go Home at the Into Film Awards.
Edward's deeply personal film follows a young autistic girl who must navigate her way home alone after her brother leaves her behind—an emotional and thought-provoking story inspired by Edward's own experiences. Autistic himself, Edward drew on a distressing real-life incident in which he was bullied by an adult while filming in his community, forcing him to find a new and unfamiliar way home.
The film which was written, directed, acted, editied and produced by Edward alone, was also nominated for Best Story, sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios.
Speaking after the awards on Tuesday, Edward said: 'I put a lot of hard work and effort into this film but none of it would have been possible without the help of my friends and all the support from my parents and family.
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"Especially from my mum for entering me into this amazing competition. I would also like to thank the whole of my community in Sanquhar for their unwavering encouragement. I feel overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to have this opportunity and to receive this award.'
The film has been praised for its emotional depth, sensitive storytelling, and powerful message about understanding and supporting autistic individuals.
The award was presented by actor Andy Serkis and broadcaster Edith Bowman during Monday's glittering ceremony celebrating the best in young UK filmmaking.
Edward first discovered a passion for filmmaking during lockdown. What began as stop-motion animations using Lego soon developed into short live-action films featuring friends and family. With a growing interest in cameras and editing software, Edward quickly became a skilled filmmaker and storyteller.
His YouTube channel, Mr Porridge —named after his love of the breakfast dish—is run by his parents and showcases a wide range of content, from short films and reels to reviews and documentaries. His earlier work includes Forward to the Past, which premiered at a local community centre, and a documentary for arts hub A' the Airts, created when he was just 12. That project earned him the title of Young Community Champion at the Dumfries and Galloway Life Awards.
Fiona Evans, CEO of Into Film, praised Edward and his fellow nominees, saying: 'These Awards are both a celebration of their talent and a clear statement of intent: that the UK film industry values, nurtures and believes in the voices of the next generation.'
The Into Film Awards, sponsored by the UK film industry and supported by the BFI awarding National Lottery Good Cause funding, celebrate young people's creativity in film, showcasing and highlighting the wealth of tomorrow's creative talent.
