Northern Ireland

Young Lisburn film-maker wins at 2020 Into Film Awards

Lisburn film-maker Mercer MacWilliam Hughes
Lisburn film-maker Mercer MacWilliam Hughes Lisburn film-maker Mercer MacWilliam Hughes

A young film-maker from Lisburn is celebrating success at the 2020 Into Film awards.

Mercer MacWilliam Hughes won 'Best Film' in the 16-19 category for his 10-minute short Bob’s Your Uncle, about a bickering brother and sister who embark on a treasure hunt left to them by their uncle Bob in his will.

The judging panel was made up of industry experts including legendary James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, and the virtual ceremony was hosted by David Walliams.

The 20-year-old's film, which draws inspiration from the visuals and narratives of Wes Anderson, took seven months to complete and used locations around Northern Ireland including the Central Library in Belfast.

Mercer, who began making his own films at the age of five, said it was "a validation of a lot of hard work".

"I’d like to thank my younger brother Aaron and my friend Rachel Rankin who played the two lead roles," he said.

"They were extremely patient and resilient.”

Currently studying Film Production in Bournemouth, Mercer said he wants to return to work in Northern Ireland’s film industry.

"There is so much going on in Northern Ireland and it is accessible particularly with the programmes offered by Into Film, BFI, NI Screen, Cinemagic and the QFT."

He added: "This is the most ambitious and longest project I’ve attempted so far, with 10 minutes of runtime, but it is also by far my most personal.

"Bob’s Your Uncle attempts to capture my experience of the nuanced rivalries and viewpoints in a sibling relationship, and I cannot thank my brother Aaron enough for sticking by me through this project."