FILM and TV student Atlas Anderson has been honoured with a Junior Good Citizen Award for their work promoting business in their home town.

The 19-year-old, who has just completed a Level 3 Film and TV Production course at Wiltshire College & University Centre in Chippenham, said they were shocked and delighted with the award from Malmesbury Town Council.

They were nominated by town and county councillor Gavin Grant, who was impressed that they had used their own time to make a promotional film for Barn Owl Books last December. Their work also earned a best film award at the Kandu Arts Festival.

Atlas said: “I was really surprised and pleased to get the award, I was ecstatic when I had to stand up and receive it, I think there’s a few photos where I have a really shocked face. But I felt very happy and honoured.”

Cllr Grant said he nominated them because of their dedication to promoting the town. “I’ve known Atlas for some time and I was told they had been offering to do promotional films for businesses in the town as part of their film studies work,” he said. “I saw the Barn Owl Books film and I thought ‘crikey, this is amazing stuff’.

“What a brilliant young person, who has a tremendous creative talent, and has used it to the benefit of others in the community. That’s exactly what our young citizens award is all about – to celebrate our young people.”

The former Malmesbury School pupil, who said their love of film was sparked when they were homeschooled in the pandemic, will be studying film at Manchester Metro University in the autumn. Before that they will be making a film about the Malmesbury Stands For Ukraine community group’s summer activities.

“They’re holding a festival over the summer and hopefully I’ll be able to film that and do some interviews as well,” they said. “It is a good cause and I am glad to be able to showcase voices that need to be heard.”

They said the two-year course at Chippenham has given them an opportunity to explore every aspect of filmmaking. “The freedom it’s brought has been thrilling and I have really enjoyed it,” they said. “I have felt like I can connect with the teachers and they’re specialists in the subject, which is perfect.

“I could explore everything about film and have found what I like the most. Directing is very interesting but if I had to choose, I like writing for screen.

“I have learned really key skills, like using editing software and being guided through the process of filmmaking. The teachers set out a clear timeline of when things need to be done and I will hold on to that process, it is very helpful.”

Lecturer Nicola Dew said she is not surprised Atlas won the award. “They are such a lovely young person,” she said. “The thing that I find most endearing with Atlas is that as a filmmaker they’re phenomenally talented, but they’re incredibly humble.

“They’ve produced a lot of really good work but it’s always been very quietly in the background. They get on extremely well with people, build very positive relationships with everyone they meet and come up with great results – or help other people come up with great results. I know everyone at the college wishes them every success on their next step.”

See some of Atlas’ work on their YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@Atlascollegefilms