A DUTCH woman has won a prize for a film shot on Wanstead High Street.

Helmie Stil, 29, earned the award for best documentary at the Walthamstow International Film Festival.

Helmie’s film, ‘Shadow and Sun’, also won second prize in the overall category at the festival.

The short feature sees Helmie talk about her feelings on moving to a new country and features shots of everyday life in Wanstead.

The award-winning director lives above a shop on High Street, and is enjoying her time in east London.

Speaking after winning the award, she said: “I love it here in Wanstead, the people are friendly and it feels a bit like a small village in a world city, which I really like.

“In the beginning it was hard for me to adjust to a different life in a different country.

“Sometimes I felt a bit lonely and I missed my friends and family “The film shows my feelings of moving to a different country.“

‘Shadow and Sun’ will be shown at a variety of venues this week as part of the festival which features a number of films, all of which are three minutes or under in length.

For a full list of venues and to find out more about the Walthamstow Film Festival www.e17films.com

Click here to watch the film

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