AN ASPIRING filmmaker from Ebbw Vale is hoping one of his creations will be shown at a horror film festival in New Mexico later this year.

Adam Nicholas, 22, has produced two short films as part of his film and television course at the University of Wales, Newport.

The third year student has entered his first film, a dark comedy called Big Girl, into the Tromadance Film Festival in Albuquerque which screens horror and science fiction films in September.

Big Girl, which was made for about £750, was filmed around Newport in December.

Mr Nicholas said he is now in discussions with a Newport film producer in turning the 20 minute film into a feature length film.

He is also currently editing his second film called Knives which is a comedy about two stage knife throwers.

The film, which was even cheaper and made for about £250, was recently filmed around Beaufort in Ebbw Vale including at his grandfather's house, at the Little Theatre in Tredegar and in Newtown.

This was with the help of co-writer and co-producer Thomas Rees, 24, who graduated from the same university last year and actor Kiryl Smaliakou, 27.

Mr Nicholas said: "I'd always wanted to make a film in Ebbw Vale and found it easier for locations."

The student is also preparing to start work as an assistant director for a film being made by his university lecturer and filmmaker Peter Watkins-Hughes.