"Kavinth has demonstrated a level of narrative storytelling."
A graduate from Coventry University has won a prestigious award from the Royal Television Society Midlands Centre for his short film Lockdown.
Kavinth Kumar, originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, secured the RTS Midlands Centre Student Award for Best Craft Editing for his sci-fi horror project.
The 23-year-old created Lockdown as part of his final Film Production project, taking on writing, acting, directing, producing and editing responsibilities himself.
The film was produced using industry-standard equipment at the Delia Derbyshire Building, home to the university’s College of the Arts and Society.
Lockdown follows a graphic designer trapped overnight in an office with his manager, only to uncover a terrifying time loop repeating for years.
The award specifically recognises excellence in editing, celebrating specialist filmmaking skills such as cinematography, sound design and post-production craft.
Kavinth expressed his excitement, calling the win an unexpected yet rewarding moment after applying his full range of filmmaking skills to the project.
He highlighted how his experience across directing, acting, editing and visual effects helped shape the film into a complete creative vision.
Kavinth joined the Film Production course after working in film and television production in Malaysia before moving to the UK.
The course is ranked among the UK’s top five for Film Production and Photography in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
Since graduating with first-class honours in 2025, Kavinth has focused on scriptwriting and freelance videography, editing and content creation.
Several of his university projects have already been selected for the Coventry Film Festival and the Coventry Phoenix Film Festival.
Reflecting on his journey, Kavinth said relocating from Malaysia was a major risk, but the recognition shows his decision is paying off.
He added that his goal as a filmmaker is to make audiences feel something and ultimately bring them happiness through storytelling.
Kavinth also credited his parents for their unwavering support, despite the challenges associated with pursuing a career in the film industry.
Dr Sanna Wicks praised Kavinth’s achievement, describing his editing skills as highly advanced for a student filmmaker.
She noted that his work on Lockdown demonstrated professional-level storytelling and technical precision recognised by industry judges.
Dr Wicks added that the award reflects the wider success of students on the Film Production course and its strong industry relevance.
She highlighted achievements from other students, including award wins at NAHEMI and recognition from The Guild of Television Camera Professionals.
According to Dr Wicks, the RTS award reinforces the university’s reputation for producing graduates capable of competing at regional and national levels.
She said Kavinth’s range of talents across directing, acting and editing positions him for a promising future in the film industry.
Lockdown is expected to be released on YouTube soon, offering wider audiences the chance to experience Kavinth’s award-winning work.
Loading ...