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Coventry University graduate wins Royal Television Society award for film shot on campus
Kavinth Kumar pictured at the RTS Midlands Centre Student Awards. Photo credit: Vivienne Bailey Photography
University news / Student news / Alumni news
Tuesday 31 March 2026
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A Coventry University graduate has won a Royal Television Society (RTS) Midlands Centre award for his short film, ‘Lockdown’.
Kavinth Kumar, originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, took home the RTS Midlands Centre Student Award for Best Craft Editing for the sci‑fi horror, which he wrote, acted in, directed, produced and edited as part of his final Film Production project.
Produced using the university’s Industry‑standard equipment and facilities in the Delia Derbyshire Building, home to the College of the Arts and Society, ‘Lockdown’ follows a graphic designer trapped overnight in his office with his manager, only to discover they have been reliving the same night for years in a terrifying time loop.
The 23-year-old was recognised by the RTS Midlands Centre specifically for the strength of his editing – a craft award that celebrates excellence in specialist filmmaking skills such as cinematography, sound design or editing.
Winning this award was such an amazing and unexpected moment for me. I put everything I’ve learned - from directing and acting to editing and visual effects (VFX) – into making this film.
Kavinth Kumar, Film Production graduate and RTS award winner
Kavinth joined the Film Production course - ranked 5th in the UK for Film Production and Photography (Guardian University Guide 2026) - as a direct‑entry student having previously worked in film and TV production in Malaysia.
Since graduating with first‑class honours in 2025, he has focused on scriptwriting and freelance videography, editing and content creation, with several of the films he made at university selected for the Coventry Film Festival and the Coventry Phoenix Film Festival.
Moving from Malaysia and taking the risk to start again in the UK was a huge step, but this recognition shows that the journey is paying off. My goal as a filmmaker has always been to make people feel something and, ultimately, to make them happy. This award motivates me even more as I look ahead to building my career as a film director and actor.
I also want to thank my parents as without their support I wouldn’t have reached this stage. Despite knowing how challenging the film industry can be, they always believed in me and encouraged me to pursue my passion.
Kavinth Kumar, Film Production graduate and RTS award winner
Dr Sanna Wicks, Course Director for Film Production, said she is incredibly proud of Kavinth’s success.
Editing is a highly skilled craft and Kavinth has demonstrated a level of narrative storytelling and technical ability well beyond that of an average student. His work on Lockdown showcases a professional standard of editing that industry judges clearly recognised.
Dr Sanna Wicks, Course Director for Film Production at Coventry University
Dr Wicks added that Kavinth’s win, along with recent achievements from students such as Harry Tatem - who won four National Association for Higher Education in the Moving Image (NAHEMI) awards and was honoured at The Guild of Television Camera Professionals Bill Vinten University Awards - and James Wilson, who won an RTS Midlands Centre award for Best Production Design last year, highlights the consistently high calibre of work produced on the Film Production course.
The RTS is a respected industry body, so this award is significant not just for Kavinth but for our course. It proves our students are creating work that stands up at a regional and often national level, and with his talent across directing, acting and editing, we believe Kavinth has an exciting future ahead.
Dr Sanna Wicks, Course Director for Film Production at Coventry University
Kavinth’s film ‘Lockdown’ is expected to be made available on YouTube soon.
