Film made in Suffolk wins Hollywood awards

A new film called The Sheriff that recently rode into town has won two top awards and some international recognition.

Directed by Ben Pryke with support from students and staff at West Suffolk College, the 15-minute creation has recently received the ‘best short film’ award from The Hollywood International Indie Film and Screenplay awards.

Mr Pryke – who lectures at the college – has also won best director for an independent short film in the Hollywood Best Indie Film Awards 2025.

News has also filtered in that The Sheriff has been selected to be screened at the Toronto Global Film Festival on 20 December 2025 and the film is also going to be shown at a community film festival in Nigeria after getting some heat via Venice and Cannes.

Some of the student crew have also gone on to work in the industry including Charlie Scott-Bell who had a stint working on the Apple TV smash hit called Slow Horses starring Oscar winner Gary Oldman, thanks to Mr Pryke’s contact, Jim Horsfield at Screen Suffolk.

Mr Pryke – a curriculum lead for film and media – said: “It’s been a long process. We created a screenplay competition and The Sheriff written by Tom Crich was chosen as the winner of this contest in 2021.

“We then started pre-production with the UAL Level 4 Film students at the college by designing the shots, casting, locations and production design. We started filming in 2022, working with industry professionals like Producer Colin Ramsey from DragonLight Films, Gaffer Jeremey Dawson, Sound Recordist Rory Cargill, Stunt Coordinator Raph Aldis and Colour Grading by Nick Wakeling at Gramercy Park Film Studios in Soho. A former student Charles Heales who has established a name for himself in the film world as a Director of Photography and owner of HAWK London also worked on the film.

“We wrapped at the end of last year and our film has now been on the awards circuit – and we are delighted to get this recognition.”

“Over the course of four years, around 50 students have been involved.                                 

“Not just film and media students, carpenters helped build sets, graphic design created images, beauty students did hair and make-up and performing arts and music learners were involved – so it has been a real cross college collaboration.

“We are still potentially up for more recognition. And winning awards like this validates everyone’s efforts – when I found out the news it felt like Christmas.”

“The college is now hoping to take part in the Made In East Anglian Film Festival next year and also wants to have a glitzy premiere in 2026.”

“It’s great that all of the students who worked on this now have IMDb credits to add to their CVs and some have even gone on to work on major film and TV projects.”

Charlie Scott Bell (19 from Blo Norton, Diss) is a director, actor and writer. He said: “Working on The Sheriff was a massive opportunity for students like me. Not only do we come away with real CV material and IMDb credits, but we get to experience what it’s actually like being on a fully equipped set, on proper locations, doing the job for real. That’s invaluable when you’re trying to break into the industry.”

“I’d like to thank Ben Pryke who has done an incredible job bringing together a group of young filmmakers and pushing us to create something genuinely special. Seeing The Sheriff start its festival run across the world is surreal, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Ben and the course.”

Another student involved in post-production was Charlie Saunders, 19, from Thorpe Morieux. The budding filmmaker was at West Suffolk College in 2024 on a film production and media course.      

He said: “I was pleased to be part of a project that won the award. I was an assistant colourist. I worked alongside Nick from Gramercy Park Studios and other industry professionals. I made some good connections – and it was great to work on a film with other people on a project of this scale.

“I’m currently working full time as a bike mechanic whilst trying to get my foot in the door and land film jobs. Being part of an award-winning film can only help me fulfil my dream of becoming a director of photography.”

Laraine Moody is the Group Principal for University and Professional Development at Eastern Education Group. Laraine said: “This is truly incredible. Huge congratulations to Ben and the team.”

To see a trailer for The Sheriff: