Abbie May Wilson, 22, a native of the Hampshire village, won recognition for her acting at an American award ceremony.
Abbie won Best Actress in a Drama at the East Coast Movie Awards for her portrayal of Betty Murphy/Dixie Domay in the 1940s showbiz-based drama Whistling Dixie.
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Abbie May Wilson, 22, from Wickham (Image: Abbie May Wilson) Abbie said: “To be recognised for my work is something little me could have only dreamed of. I feel so lucky to earn opportunities like this, it’s what I have always wanted to do for as long as I can remember.
“Calling myself an award-winning actress is so surreal, a true honour and a privilege.”
The film was created with a tiny budget of just £100. It also won Worcester Film Festival’s Best Student Film and has been selected for screening at the Streets Movie Festival in Serbia.
The film also received an honourable mention at the Big Picture Film Festival in Stratford upon Avon.
Abbie continued: “I became involved in Whistling Dixie through Jacob T. McClean, the director and my partner.
“The film was made to play to both our strengths, with mine in theatre. As the movies from this era were theatrical productions, this suited my passions completely.”
The Chronicle asked the award-winning actress about her plans for the future. She said: “Going forward, I graduate from Performers College Birmingham, this May, with a degree in Performing Arts.
“I hope to gain agency representation to help my career grow over time. I would adore to do more screen work, as well as stage – I have a love for both.”
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Abbie was also asked if she had any other projects. She said: “As myself and Jacob work so well together we have two projects in pre-production already for 2025.
“The first is a documentary based on my father, Ashley Wilson, who is a cancer survivor and epileptic who attempted to row the Indian Ocean – he named the challenge Nothing’s Impossible.
“We also have a fictional short named You Had Me At Hello, written by David Payne, a thriller with hints of dark comedy – which I will be starring in with Jacob directing again.”