A first-time filmmaker is set for Hollywood after his work was hailed a potential box office hit.
Former Ayrshire Post paperboy Lee Williamson will now rub shoulders with some of the industry's biggest hitters.
It follows his success in a contest run by Pinewood Studios – the film giant famed as the home of James Bond.
Lee, who grew up in Kincaidston and attended Belmont Academy, has made his opening foray into film in his new homeland of Ireland.
His fledgling business Shuttermaniac Productions has produced a short piece on a budget of 1500 euros with his "hardy swimmer neighbour" Colm Daly.
In three minutes, it tells the story of Colm, 70, who bears his soul on 50 years of open water swimming exploits.
Entitled Snámh – the Gaelic word for swim – the film is an emotional look inside Colm's mind in the water.
Now the film has been named winner of a major UK festival which aims to identify rising talent within the industry.
Lee, 40, told Ayrshire Live: "We were the low budget underdog, so I was astonished to be told that we had won.
"We went up against far bigger budgets and productions but I think the emotion of our short film is what nailed it.
"Colm is a great guy but took a while for me to crack when I sat him down to interview for the film.
"I wanted to really get inside his head and discover what went through his mind while out swimming.
"It ended up being a really powerful piece.
"But it's surreal to think that we've been invited over to places like Pinewood Studios.
"The film will also get a screening at Raleigh Studios for the Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival in Hollywood next year.
"It's pretty incredible to think a wee lad from Kincaidston has got this far – I keep having to pinch myself."
It follows film fans around the world paying for a ticket to view and vote for Snámh at the UK Online Film Festival.
The production will remain unavailable for public viewing until its film festival run is complete, but hopes are high it will go on general release after Christmas.
Lee added: "It's been an emotional journey on a tight budget.
"Getting a hardy Irish open-water swimming veteran to open up about his life experience and passion for the water wasn’t easy, but it was truly rewarding for myself and hopefully for the audience too.
"To cram 50 years’ worth of experience and wisdom into just short of three minutes was a challenge.
"And I think what we got was an intensely personal piece for me, but packaged for the viewer in a way that is both accessible and, more importantly, frank and honest.”
Lee, a former Sommelier on the QE2 cruise ship, smiled: "I always say my most important job in life was being a paperboy for the Post.
"It taught me good business sense after buying my round and building it up into my own wee empire.
"It's fantastic to think I've gone full circle my family back home will now be able to read about me in that very same paper."
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
