Spotlight shines on student talent at New City College Media Awards

Spotlight shines on student talent at New City College Media Awards

There was applause, a red carpet, and Oscar-style trophies when award-winning creativity was celebrated at the Lumiere Cinema in Romford.

Media students from New City College’s Ardleigh Green and Redbridge campuses were the stars of the show at the Media Awards 2025 ceremony, which showcased a year of outstanding student achievements in film, radio, and digital media.

Held at the cinema so that students could see their work on the big screen, the event had all the glitz and glamour of a Hollywood premiere – complete with popcorn, mini Oscars, and a buzz of excitement as students, staff and guests walked the red carpet!

The ceremony included an impressive array of student projects, with powerful short films, imaginative music videos and games design work on show. A number of films and documentaries received standing ovations from the audience, who were visibly moved and inspired by the storytelling on screen.

Chris Butler, Senior Curriculum Manager for Media, Games and IT, said: “It was a huge pleasure to get to celebrate the work of our students at the Lumiere Cinema in Romford. Seeing their projects on the big screen, watched by other staff and family members, was a real privilege and a wonderful way to cap off a busy year. It was brilliant to show so many creative ideas with work that included music videos, short films, documentaries, and game designs.

“None of this would be possible without a great deal of hard work from the students and their teachers. Thanks also to the brilliant people at Lumiere who helped us put on the event.”

Photos: Christopher Larocca

Andy Greaves, Deputy Group Curriculum Director for Creative & Digital, added: “It really was a special evening watching the student films on the big screen – you could see how much it meant to them. A fantastic cross-campus collaboration, also involving a brilliant partnership with a local independent, creative employer (Lumiere).”

One of the big winners of the night was Ethan Claydon, part of the team behind Grab and Go, which won Best Final Major Project (FMP) for Year 1 students.

He said: “It’s been such a privilege to see our work on the big screen. Making Grab and Go was magical – and when else do you get to watch your own film in a cinema? We’re ecstatic. This award is going straight on my mantlepiece!”

For Kai Manchester-McGregor, who began his journey at NCC on a Level 1 course and is now heading into a Radio apprenticeship, the awards were a proud and emotional finale to his college experience.

He said: “I’ve learned so much and developed so much since I started. This was such a great way to celebrate everything I’ve achieved on the course.”

Media students from New City College’s Ardleigh Green and Redbridge campuses were celebrated at the NCC Media Awards 2025 ceremony held at the Lumiere Cinema, Romford

The NCC Media Award Winners were:

  • Level 1 Film Production: StarBoy – Samuel Alatishe, Owen Ndekola, Aaron Afful
  • Level 2 Creative Product: Talk it Out (Creative Conscience) – Rose McDermott, Charlie Murphy
  • Best Talk & Music Radio Show: The College Boyz and Enigma – joint winners
  • Level 3 Best Documentary: Brentwood Access Group Campaign – Ethan Abbot, Bailey Parsons, Liam Skinner, Jack Haswell
  • Level 3 Best FMP (Year 1): Grab and Go – Chris Charnick, Jamie Chatfield, Ethan Claydon, Jamie Gray, Lily McGuinness, Lola Percy, Jack Shelley and Georgia Ward
  • Level 3 Best Short Film (Year 2): Not So Identical – Jake
  • Games Award: Year 1 – Demetrios Stavrou
  • Games Award: Year 2 – Brook O’Reilly
  • Most Developed Students – Ashley Kamumvuri and Domantas Serpenskas
  • Media Students of the Year: Kai Manchester-McGregor and Maria Nye
  • Outstanding Commitment to the Creative Department: Ethan Abbot, Ece Suleyman, Rose McDermott, Baylie Parsons, Khalid Ibrahim, Kai Manchester-McGregor and James Barton

 

The awards not only celebrated technical skill and artistic vision, but they also highlighted the spirit of collaboration and dedication that defines New City College’s creative media courses.

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!

Apply today for one of our creative media courses to have the opportunity to experience the awards event and show your work on the big screen!

 

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