A BELFAST actor is celebrating after winning a top award in the US.
James Martin, who has Down's Syndrome, won the best actor accolade at the New York City TV festival for his first film, Ups and Downs, which also won the best TV film award.
The BBC NI drama tells the story of James' character, Conal who goes on a road trip with his sister to a concert in Belfast against the wishes of their mother, played by Susan Lynch.
Speaking about the win, James said:"I wasn't in New York for the ceremony but I got a call from out of the blue to say I'd won the best actor award and I was thrilled.
"A friend of the writer and director Eoin Cleland picked up the awards and I'm looking forward to getting my hands on my trophy."
The 28-year-old, whose father is broadcaster and journalist Ivan Martin, has also starred in ITV drama, Marcella alongside actress, Anna Friel.
The young man started his acting career with Belfast drama group Babosh.
