Bafta winner Esther May Campbell is back at work on her first feature film in Bristol after brushing shoulders with Hollywood stars.

Esther, 36, a self-taught film maker from Easton, won the award for Best Short Film at the glitzy ceremony in London attended by Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Kate Winslet.

She is writing a black comedy called Gaddibledah and developing a family drama called The Number 9, with backing from South West Screen.

She won her BAFTA award for September, a 21-minute film she wrote and directed about a man's infatuation with a circus performer. The film had its world premiere at the Cube cinema in Kingsdown in May.

After collecting her award from British actors Hayley Atwell and Jim Sturgess, Esther said: "Thank you to our funders who took a punt on quite a difficult film at the Film Council, our small but beautiful cast and crew and everybody back in Bristol and the Cube cinema."

It was at the Cube that Esther's passion for film and filmmaking developed.

"I think that the Cube cinema has been a tremendous artistic and creative force in the city," she said.

"It has nurtured some fantastic artists and filmmakers for many years."

September was filmed last year in Frenchay and stars several local actors, including Georgia Henderson, a student at Circomedia.

The film also won best short at last year's London Film Festival and Encounters Film Festival in Bristol.

"We were the underdogs and I still can't believe that we won," said Esther.

"Our film was done on a lower budget and with a smaller cast and crew than the other nominees.

"To win was a massive surprise to all involved, but now I am just so jolly. When we were announced as winners I couldn't quite hear what they were saying.

"It didn't feel real for a while, then I looked over at my husband and I decided to do something about it and walk on stage.

"Being on stage was all right so long as you didn't look at the audience, as you could easily have got vertigo."

After the ceremony Esther and her musician husband Chiz had a meal at the Dorchester Hotel. They decided not to go to any parties, and were looking forward to returning to Easton for the first time in two weeks.