An aspiring young film-maker who made a documentary about her own mental ill-health has scooped a top award.
Rebecca Feazelle, 23, from Caerphilly, impressed judges at the Zoom Cymru Young Film Makers Awards with her film Fragile Minds, which was declared best documentary.
The film was produced as part of her BTEC Level 3 in Creative Media Production (TV and Film), which she is studying at Coleg y Cymoedd.
The documentary explores Rebecca’s own struggle with mental health and the youngster set out to reduce the stigma surrounding the issue with contributions from charity Mind Cymru and a look at the science behind people suffering from panic attacks.
Amanda Stafford, Rebecca’s tutor at Coleg y Cymoedd, encouraged her student to enter the awards.
She said: “We are enormously proud of Rebecca’s achievement. She had a story to tell and set about telling it with complete commitment.
“Her vision was clear from the start and it is fantastic that her work has been recognised in this way.
“She epitomises the type of hardworking learners here at Coleg y Cymoedd.”
Rebecca, who was presented with her award at a recent ceremony in Bridgend, said: “It was an amazing experience from beginning to end.
“My main goal was to give those who don’t have a voice the opportunity to speak through me and to comfort those who are suffering in silence.
“The Zoom Cymru Awards have given my film a platform for more people to reach out to it. So many people have already told me how much it has helped them, which is the best feeling.”
Colin – Well done Rebecca – really inspiring story about something which, for far too long, was a taboo subject