Anna and Ffion recognised at ‘It’s My Shout’ awards
The Coleg Menai Performing Arts students won Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress for their roles in films broadcast on BBC and S4C
Coleg Menai students Anna Walker and Ffion Jones have won awards for their roles in films shown on national television.
Anna and Ffion were recognised at the It's My Shout Awards 2025, held every year as part of a scheme to give young people in Wales invaluable experience of the film industry.
Anna won Best Actress for her role as Laura in ‘I’m Not Awake and Neither are You’, while Ffion was awarded Best Supporting Actress after playing Alaw in ‘Dysgu Hedfan’.
Both films were made entirely by Coleg Menai learners, and are available to stream on BBC iPlayer (‘I’m not awake and neither are you’) and S4C Clic (‘Dysgu Hedfan’).
In I’m Not Awake and Neither are You, Anna’s character Laura suddenly loses her boyfriend, and is offered a drug that lets her see him again.
Anna said: “It’s about the struggle of loss. She is avoiding acceptance and it shows the raw struggle of losing someone you love. It shows her journey with grief and how she ends up falling onto the path of drugs.”
Asked what she gained from taking part in It’s My Shout, Anna said: “I gained a lot of confidence in myself, and I also learned a lot about the difference between stage and screen acting. I loved the experience of being on set and all the different people I got to meet.”
In Dysgu Hedfan, Ffion plays high school student Alaw, whose best friend Erin starts to develop feelings for her.
She said: “I really enjoyed working with my friends on the project. It was a new experience and it was really exciting.
“I’ve gained a lot of confidence, and I now know what it’s like to be on a film set.”
Anna and Ffion, who are both studying Level 3 Performing Arts, received their awards on stage at the ICC Newport, during a special ceremony to celebrate 25 years of It’s My Shout.
It’s My Shout is an annual scheme for people who want to work in film and television, whether in front of the camera or in areas such as sound, hair and makeup, camerawork and set design.
Learners are mentored by leading industry professionals, and the scheme is often the first step to working in film and television, with the annual awards ceremony offering networking opportunities as well as the chance to celebrate the students’ success.
Coleg Menai has worked with It’s My Shout for more than 15 years, creating two films a year (one in English and one in Welsh) which are broadcast on BBC and S4C and are available to stream for 12 months afterwards.
Lisa Jones, Programme Leader for Level 3 Performing Arts, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for learners to network, work with industry professionals, build on their portfolio and add those all-important BBC and S4C credits to their CVs.
“These projects give all students an opportunity to grow and learn, no matter what their role is, whether it be in front of the camera or behind. It gives them a real insight into the industry and what will be required of them.”
Paul Edwards, Creative Arts Manager at Coleg Menai, said: “Our long-standing relationship with It's My Shout provides an excellent platform for our learners to gain an insight into the TV and film industry.
“We are so proud of our learners who took part in both films, and it was fantastic to see both Anna and Ffion receive their awards.”
Anna and Ffion said It’s My Shout was an example of the incredible opportunities offered as part of their college course.
Anna said: “I love that everyone is supportive no matter what, and I love the physical side of things, whether that be dancing, singing or acting.
“College is helping a lot with confidence, but also it is giving me so many amazing opportunities and experiences.”
Ffion added: “We get to do different things every day - it’s never boring. Getting to try new things every day really helps your confidence, and it makes you ready for life after college.”
Do you want to work in performing arts? Grŵp Llandrillo Menai offers courses from Level 1 right through to Higher Education, including practical opportunities to develop your performance skills and perform in professional theatres. Learn more here.