THE film producer of a movie starring Hollywood actor Elijah Wood has been named one of BAFTA’s 2014 Breakthrough Brits.

Former Stockton Riverside College (SRC) student, A J Riach, was pivotal in bringing the script of Dylan Thomas biopic With Set Fire to the Stars to the big screen.

Making its debut at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, it was nominated for both the Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature Film and the Audience Award.

The film has been released today (Friday) to coincide with the centenary of the famous Welsh poet’s birth.

Mr Riach, 27, from Eaglescliffe, Stockton, who studied film and television at SRC, was invited by BAFTA to apply for a Breakthrough Brits award which was launched to celebrate and support the UK’s emerging talent in film, television and games.

This is the first film that I have produced and had a producer credit. It’s so surreal, it is totally overwhelming,” said Mr Riach, who set up his own production company, Mad as Birds Films, to make the film, along with fellow crew members, Andy Goddard, Celyn Jones and Andy Evans.

What started as an ’indie’ venture stars Elijah Wood, an American actor best known for portraying Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson's blockbuster Lord of the Rings film trilogy and English actress Kelly Reilly.

“When I received the call to say I was one of this year’s 18 winners I couldn’t believe it, I was over the moon. To be recognised by BAFTA so early in my career is incredible,” he added.