Horror turns to joy as Walsall film director wins National Film Award

His film Redwood was chosen for the prestigious accolade over other strong contenders for the top prize, including thriller The Snowman starring X-Men star Michael Fassbender.

Shocked Tom said it was the 'maddest feeling' hearing his film's name announced, as he 'never would have expected it'.

The 32-year-old, who grew up at The Hatherton Arms pub in Lichfield Street, spent a year working on Redwood, which features former Buffy The Vampire Slayer star Nicholas Brendon and Mike Beckingham, younger brother of Hot Fuzz actor Simon Pegg.

He said when he heard it had received the award for Best Thriller, it felt like 'validation' of all the hard work that had been put in.

Tom, who now lives in Essex with wife Ashley, said: "Honestly, I wasn't expecting to win. We were just there to enjoy being nominated and having a few drinks. I was just happy to be in the room. It was such a surprise to just be nominated.

"When they called our name it was the maddest feeling. It was validation to be honest, of all the work we had put in. It means such a lot."

Redwood, which was filmed in Poland of summer 2016, tells the story of musician Josh and his girlfriend Beth head out to a secluded national park in search of some solace following tragic news back home.

However, they get more than they bargained for when they come face to face a nest of vampires deep in the forest.

The film, which has an IMDB rating of 5.5 out of 10, was nominated for Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Thriller at the National Film Awards, with Tom rubbing shoulders with some of Hollywood's biggest names while at the ceremony.

He said: "We were up against some of the big Hollywood stars. Because we were there with Mike Beckingham though, the BBC kept following us around which was weird.

"We're gearing up for our fourth movie now, a lot of which was filmed in Drakelow Tunnels in Kidderminster. Big things are coming up for that."

And despite having moved out of Walsall, Tom said he often visits family who all still live here and takes part in local comic cons and panels.

He added: "When I'm in the area I do try and pop in to show my support."

Tom's next film, Black Site, is set in middle American despite being shot in Kidderminster - and the director describes it as 'a cross between John Wick and Men In Black set in an underground facility'.