FILM and television students from the Wee County were part of a production team scooping an award.

Leah Money, from Alloa, and Harmony Johnston-Brand, from Alva, were part of a Forth Valley College trio who won the Ayrshire Film Festival’s external category.

Made together with Daryna Pylypenko, 21, from Denny, their short film-noir A Shade of Red impressed the judges at the festival, run by Ayrshire College Media Department, in a category open to amateur filmmakers around the nation.

The students all study at Forth Valley College’s Stirling Campus-based NC film and television course, which only started in August 2023.

Leah, 21, explained scooping the award felt rewarding as the trio’s hard work was recognised by others.

Harmony, 18, said: “It was fun and a challenge, but the best part was being able to share the experience with my friends."

Daryna, added: "We learned a lot on the course which gave us the confidence to express ourselves cinematically and it is very humbling to have that recognition."

Their short film with a twist is an exploration of film noir with many recognisable genre tropes and stars Kristin Earhart as the femme fatale.

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Vincent Mulligan, film and television lecturer, said: "All three have excelled on the course this year by throwing themselves headlong into the activities and developing their camera operating, lighting, sound recording and editing skills to such a high standard.

“In what is the first year this course has run, it is gratifying to have gained some success.

“Hopefully next year's cohort can expand on it and help the course to gain further recognition in even more competitive arenas."