A TALENTED film maker from St Davids has won a British Academy Film Award for outstanding debut by a British writer, director and producer.

Kieran Evans had been shortlisted for Kelly and Victor, a gritty drama adapted from Niall Griffiths’ 2002 novel about a doomed love affair between a young couple.

It premiered at 2012’s BFI London Film Festival and received glowing reviews from the critics, with one describing it as ‘a Romeo and Juliet for Broken Britain.'

Kieran, who learned his trade directing music videos for Kylie Minogue and the Manic Street Preachers, said the moment he read Niall’s book, he knew it was great source material.

Speaking of his nomination, he said: “I was extremely chuffed but really didn’t expect it at all because getting to attend red carpet award ceremonies isn’t the reason I initially got into film-making.”

Kieran picked up his Bafta from actor Steve Coogan at Sunday night's star-studded ceremony at London's Royal Opera House, which was attended by Hollywood stars including Sandra Bullock, Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as home grown talent Dame Helen Mirren and Dame Judi Dench.

In his acceptance speech, Kieran said: “To my family and friends in Dublin and in Wales, and to my two beautiful sons Dylan and Jacob who made it happen.

“To my mum who sat me in front of Hitchcock films when I was a kid, and to my dad who drove with me on a coach for 50 miles to an art college. Those moments are the reasons why I’m here now.”