A CedarBridge Academy student has won an award after making an animated film.

Zen Marley Mello, 17, won the department of culture’s Emancipation Youth Creativity Competition with his video accompanying the poem Never Bound.

Students were asked to submit poems, videos, artwork or other forms of creative expression under the theme of ‘how can my community heal itself?’

Presenting Zen with a cheque for $100, Ernest Peets, the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Sport, said: “We’re pleased that our young people could engage in this activity, highlighting their perspective on how our community can heal itself.

“I was impressed with the submissions shared, and on behalf of the Ministry, I want to commend all of our young people who entered the contest.

“It was wonderful to meet Zen and talk with him about the skills he’s developing as an animator.”