The winner of Aberystwyth Arts Centre Ian McKellen Award 2021 has been announced, following recent interviews. The 2021 winner is Osian Pearson, a Student-BAFTA and Royal Television Student Society nominated Editor, who is studying an MA in Editing at the prestigious National Film and Television School (NFTS). He will be awarded £500 to go towards the cost of his studies as part of this special award that was set up with funds donated during Sir Ian McKellen’s visit to the Arts Centre in 2019.
Osian said:
‘I am sincerely honoured to have been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Aberystwyth Arts Centre Ian McKellen Award. Thanks to this scholarship, I am one step closer to fulfilling my 2nd year tuition fees to study MA Editing at the National Film and Television School – one of the top film schools in the world. Being part of this highly selective and world-renowned course has been a goal of mine for several years, and I am thankful that I am able to pursue this once in a lifetime opportunity to develop both my creative and technical skills amongst many of the UK’s upcoming and talented filmmakers due to this scholarship. My sincere thanks to Aberystwyth Arts Centre for supporting Welsh creatives/artists, and for the role that they play in helping develop Welsh talent across a wide range of mediums.’
Osian’s passion for editing began whilst studying media production at Coleg Ceredigion (Aberystwyth Campus), when one of his short films (about the Hafod Estate in Cwmystwyth), got him his first festival screening and an award for ‘Best Film’ at the National Eisteddfod yr Urdd in 2015. Seeing how he was able to use editing to bring disconnected images together to create meaning and craft a compelling story, and the affect this had on an audience, captivated him and set him off on his current career path.
Osian was the unanimous choice from the Award’s interview panel, who were once again bowled over by the calibre of applicants for the award.
Arts Centre Head of Creative Learning, Amanda Trubshaw, said:
‘The standard of applications for the 2021 Award was incredibly high, the panel were blown away by the skills and passion of all the award applicants. Osian stood out as being particularly focused and passionate in his chosen career and he has a bright future ahead of him. He has achieved so much already at such a young age and Aberystwyth Arts Centre are happy to support him with this award.’
Osian follows in the footsteps of previous year’s winners. Cerys Havana Hickman (2020) who studies for a degree in Music (BMus) at Goldsmiths, University of London, and joint winners (2019) Owain Gruffydd, who is at the University of Northampton studying for a BA Hons Degree in Acting, and Laura Baker who is working towards her BA Hons Degree in Ballet Education at the Royal Academy of Dance.
When Sir Ian McKellen came to perform at the Arts Centre in February 2019, all the money raised from ticket sales and donations during his visit was kept safe to be used for supporting the Arts Centre’s important work with young people. A special prize was established, the Aberystwyth Arts Centre’s Ian McKellen Award, open to a young person between the ages of 16 – 25 who intends to continue their vocational training in the creative arts – including, but not limited to, theatre, dance, and the visual arts. £500 is available annually to award for candidates who can demonstrate artistic promise and the passion for their artform, and who are in receipt of a place for study during the following academic year.
