Former HND acting student produces and stars in debut feature film
May 16, 2025
Former NESCol HND Acting & Performance student Antoni McMillan has completed shooting his first feature film, The Sands of Redemption.
Having worked in the TV and film industry for eight years, Antoni has now ventured into filmmaking, taking on the roles of actor, scriptwriter, and producer for his debut project.
28-year-old Antoni graduated from NESCol in 2017, after which he landed parts in BBC’s River City and Clique. With acting roles hard to come by during the pandemic, Antoni started working behind-the-scenes, securing runner jobs on various productions including Indiana Jones, Batgirl and Damaged.
The Sands of Redemption was born out of Antoni’s desire to continue acting and experience the whole filmmaking process from start to finish. Shot over 16 days in Aberdeen and Spain, the film took two years to complete, from the initial script to the second edit.
Antoni said: “I learned a lot from the directors I’ve worked alongside in my career, and felt confident that I could do it myself. The idea for the film came from life – although not the crime aspect!
“It was just one problem after another with the filming. Trying to act and run a film set in 40 degree heat was absolute chaos. It was important for me to learn persistence and to trust where the film was going. Life will steer you in the right direction.”
The comedy-crime movie was shot by cinematographer Louis Martin, and features Antoni as the leading role alongside actress Eve Martin.
The story follows a young Aberdonian struggling with his job and failing relationship, who decides to leave his life behind and jet off to Spain. Although things seem to be on the up, he soon finds himself in trouble with the wrong crowd – and running from his problems once again.
Antoni had no plans for recognition and was surprised by the interest the film generated. He is already planning his next project, another feature film to be shot in Aberdeen, and is looking to secure funding for this.
He said: “My main goal was to complete the full process – we weren’t aiming for perfection. I’m hoping to send The Sands of Redemption to film festivals and if it does get recognition, that’s just a bonus.”
The skills Antoni gained at NESCol gave him a great foundation for starting his career in the industry.
He said: “It’s a tough industry and is not for the faint-hearted. It takes a long time to understand, and you must be willing to put the effort in.
“My advice for students is to go with your gut and go with the flow. Don’t drop your discipline but also don’t try to control the outcome.”
View the teaser trailer for The Sands of Redemption (content warning: contains strong language).
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