A north-east filmmaker has swept to success at a prestigious awards ceremony, a little over a year after she launched her own production company.
Banchory-born Elizabeth Brown had her first taste of stardom last year with her sci-fi film ‘Beyond’, which transformed the Deeside town into a post-apocalyptic world besieged by aliens.
The 29-year-old used the film’s success as a springboard to launch her company, Bird Flight Films, whose debut feature ‘Love is Blind’ was completed in February.
Since then the film has enjoyed a series of triumphs, which began with selection at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
Now, she has won the top prize of £13,000 at the Shnit Festival in New York after her film was showcased earlier this month.
The event simultaneously takes place in eight cities on five continents worldwide – with the finale in NY – and celebrates some of the world’s best independent filmmakers.
Last night, the former Banchory Academy pupil said the last six months had been “incredible”.
She said: “We submitted the film to the festival, I ticked a box and forgot all about it.
“Then, out of the blue, I got a phone call to say we had been shortlisted for the Palme d’Or award – I think we were one of only nine from 4,500 entries.
“It’s put us on a level where people start to notice you, which is great.”
Since the Cannes nomination, the film has been submitted to nearly 20 festivals, with its biggest success being the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Shnit Festival on October 18.
Miss Brown added: “It was such a wonderful prize to get, and so exciting. It’s ace to find that people are enjoying your work.”