Former Northampton International Academy Student Honoured with Robert Burley Memorial Filmmaking Award
A former student of Northampton International Academy says winning a prestigious award has reinforced his belief in his abilities as he starts a career in video production.
Simeon Kelly has just completed his degree in Filmmaking and Screenwriting at the University of Worcester, where he won the Robert Burley Memorial Award for New Talent in Filmmaking.
Simeon said the support and knowledge he gained during his time at sixth form played a key role in his achievements at university.
“I studied Media which really helped me to gain a wide understanding of media and film,” he said. “I had great teachers who were really enthusiastic about media, and did an amazing job teaching a wide area of knowledge to so many students.”
Speaking about what the recognition means to him, Simeon said: “It means the most to me, to be acknowledged by those who have far greater experience and ability, and whose achievements I hope to strive towards. I couldn’t be more grateful to receive this award.”
Simeon, 21, from Northampton, has already secured a job as a Video Editor and Videographer for a creative marketing agency, working on studio shoots, lighting, camera operation and editing.
He said: “I hope this award will give people confidence in me, that I care about filmmaking and allow me to develop my own narrative feature films in the future. It’s incredibly helpful as an external endorsement that helps demonstrate my worth and ability within the medium.”
Simeon said that university gave him the opportunity to work alongside other creatives and filmmakers, and that the opportunities he was presented with meant he could improve his abilities as a storyteller.
“My time in Worcester has prepared me far more than I could have expected when entering university,” he said. “I visited the equipment stores frequently and became comfortable using industry-standard equipment, and The Hive library was an amazing place to write screenplays and ideas for my films.”
Simeon paid tribute to the support of his friends and family: “Everyone close to me was extremely proud to learn of my award, especially those who I had collaborated with on the way to receiving the award, who I couldn’t have achieved it without.”
Simeon has graduated from the institution that has been named the Daily Mail University of the Year for Graduate Jobs 2027, and is the UK’s leading multi-subject university for sustained graduate employment, further study or both one year after graduation. He received his award and degree during a week of graduation ceremonies held at Worcester Cathedral.
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk