A FILM student from Bury has been offered a £30,000 scholarship after impressing one of Hollywood’s best-known cinematographers.

Studying at the Screen and Film School in Manchester, Muhammed Bitaye was chosen by award-winning cinematographer, Fabian Wagner.

Fabian, patron of the film school is best known for his work on Game of Thrones, The Crown and Zack Snyder’s Justice League, earning him two Emmy nominations and a range of prestigious awards.

His career started in the North of England on shows like Jimmy McGovern’s The Street and The Accused, DCI Banks and Scott and Bailey.

Muhammed is originally from The Gambia and, along with his family, moved to the UK seven years ago.

His inspiring story chimed loudly with Fabian. Muhammed and his family settled in Bury, where he studied at Bury College.

He said: “Firstly, a huge thanks to Fabian for giving me this opportunity, 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 all day since finding out. I’ll tell everyone later today, and we’ll celebrate. I’m going to make the most of this opportunity.”

Fabian added: "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. He has a passion for filmmaking. 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.”

“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.”