AUB Acting graduate Kevin Leslie beats Spiderman star Tom Holland to international award

All of the awards were voted for by the public and the AUB graduate was also nominated in the Best Young Actor category alongside John Boyega (Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Rupert Grint (Snatch) and Daniel Kaluuya (Black Panther).

But his success at the IARA was not the only good news he had over the weekend as he also won Best Actor for The Escort at the Westfield International Film Festival in New Jersey, US.

Talking about his success at the IARA, Kevin said: “It was a night to remember. It’s an immense feeling when your work is being recognised but any project is more than one person. So I’d like to thank everyone that makes each project so special.

“Also, I absolutely couldn’t have done it without AUB and all the support you gave me to get the news of my nominations out there and help me get votes, so thank you to you all.”

Speaking after his nominations were announced, Associate Professor of Voice and Acting, Dr Petronilla Whitfield, said: “Kevin was an amazing student when he was here. He worked incredibly hard and I will never forget him.

“He was fearless in his enthusiasm to engage himself in Shakespeare and immersed himself entirely in acting the roles – he showed huge power and ability to connect with the deep emotions required when acting Shakespeare and using the heightened classical language.

“Kevin also has a rich resonant voice which made his communication of the language have great impact – he worked incredibly hard when he was at the AUB with 100 per cent commitment and was a pleasure to teach.”

Find out more about BA (Hons) Acting at AUB.