He was just 11 years-old - and hadn't seen his parents for two years - when he left his home country to move to the UK.
Now aged 20, Muhammed Bittaye says his memory of the time is hazy, but he recalls the move from his home in The Gambia being 'daunting'.
Reunited with his mum and dad, Muhammed says he remembers 'crying a lot' when he first settled in Ashton, because he was missing his friends.
But he says his parents, who had sacrificed being with their children for two years, leaving them with family members while they sorted the asylum transition, were determined he and his brother would get access to a good education.
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Immersing himself in film and in Disney channels, Muhammed did his best to adjust to the new way of life, and his family eventually moved to Bury, where he went on to study at Bury College.
Muhammed says he was aged 13 when he first started to consider a career in the film industry and, as an older teen, started a YouTube channel - spending most days trying to pick up editing tips from watching other YouTube channels.
He says he saw it as a way to pay his family back for doing their best to give him an opportunity in life and was motivated by wanting to give back to them and also to set an example to others - that you can be whoever you want to be.
He says: "I remember my parents being very hard working and my dad was very big on education.
"I realised film could be a career and I could pay them back that way.
"I always try to put positive messages in my films that can improve peoples lives and motivate them.
"So even if it's just one person, I'm happy with that. I've never seen someone from The Gambia make it in the film industry, so I want to be the first one."
Now a pupil at Screen and Film School Manchester, the gifted student has impressed one of Hollywood's best-known cinematographers, Fabian Wagner, who has awarded Muhammed a sought-after £30,000 scholarship.
Fabian, patron of the film school, is best known for his work on Game of Thrones, The Crown, Sherlock, and Zack Snyder's Justice League, which have earned him two Emmy nominations and the prestigious BSC and ASC Awards.
His career started in the North of England on shows such as Jimmy McGovern's The Street and The Accused, DCI Banks and Scott and Bailey.
Fabian says he chose Muhammad as the inaugural 'Fabian Wagner Scholarship' recipient for the three-year scholarship, as he 'saw something' in the aspiring film maker and wanted to give him a chance to build on his talents.
Fabian said: "For years, I've tried to give young people opportunities wherever I can.
"Someone who feels restricted may be inspired to go for it with this scholarship. I saw something in Muhammed Bittaye.
"He has a passion for film-making. The list of applications was long and full of talented young students, so settling on a winner was extremely difficult, and I took the final decision seriously.
"Supporting young filmmakers and aspiring cinematographers have long been a passion of mine, so I'm delighted to be giving this opportunity to another fantastic talent in Muhammed.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how he develops and supporting him in whatever way I can in the years to come.
"I will be there to support Muhammed every step of the way, as will everyone at Screen and Film School Manchester. My advice to Muhammed would be to take everything that he possibly can from the three years with us."
"There's no one path to follow. There are many different ways to achieve what you want to do. It's about staying true to yourself and collaborating with as many people."
Muhammed himself says having been given opportunities from his parents and now from Fabian, he would love to follow in his footsteps and help others along the way.
He says: "One of the big goals I have set for myself is to do something for someone else in the future, like Fabian has done for me - maybe more than one person.
"I am very happy and grateful, and this motivates me to work hard so I can hopefully be able to do the same thing for someone else in the future. I have been in shock since finding out.
"I'm going to make the most of this opportunity."
Fabian thrilled students when he led a Game of Thrones interactive workshop, beginning by discussing his career and answering questions and then inviting students to take roles behind and in front of the camera to replicate the scene with Game of Throne props from Stockyard North.
College Principal David Thompson commented: "It's so exciting for Muhammed and all our students to have Fabian Wagner as a Patron.
"He is top of his game. Fabian was incredibly giving with his time and agonised over his decision to receive his scholarship. He's also keen to support the other shortlisted candidates wherever he can over the coming years.
"These are inspiring times indeed for our Manchester students."
