Lancashire, UK – A teenager with Asperger’s syndrome has won a much sought film award for his starring role in Throw Me to the Dogs.
Lewis Bradshaw, who is 15, was cast in the lead role in the short film by Aaron Dunleavy, a filmmaker from Blackburn. Lewis appears in the film beside his foster parent Peter Quinn. The film took only a week to film in February this year.
Lewis won the award from The Manchester Indie Short Film Festival last month, but he only found out that he won the award when he was presented with it on his last day at school.
Mr Quinn told This is Lancashire:
“He was shocked when he found out he had won the award. He couldn’t attend the awards ceremony so we waited until the leavers’ assembly to tell him and got Aaron to present him with the award.”
The film is set in the area of Blackburn where Dylan grew up. The story centres around Quinny, a 43-year-old man who hires a group of local boys to take part in a football tournament. His hope is that of winning the much coveted prize money. Lewis plays the part of Dylan, who is Quinny’s son. The film highlights issues of bullying and isolation in relation to young people.
Mr Quinn told:
“I think he’s got a chance of making a career as an actor, he really embraced it.”
Below is the video, Manchester Indie Filmmakers’ Film Festival, which highlights the film.
Source: Tyrone Marshall: This is Lancashire website: Aspergers teen scoops prestigious movie award