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Competing against 499 entries from 73 countries, Ipswich-based filmmaker Nick Skinner was crowned the Grand Prize winner at the International Auto Film Festa 2025 in Tokyo on Saturday, 26 April, for his short film "Memory Lane – A Love Letter to the Jaguar E-Type".
A rapid rise: Nick taught himself to make films at a young age, but he never expected international acclaim for his work. After joining Suffolk-based classic car company Bridge Classic Cars, he began photographing and filming classic vehicles just three years ago, developing a distinctive style that eventually caught the attention of judges in Tokyo.

The story behind the film: Created to celebrate the iconic Jaguar E-Type's 63rd anniversary, the short film tells the touching story of an elderly woman named Rose reminiscing about her younger days with the legendary vehicle.
The award-winning documentary wasn't just made by local talent – it was filmed across Suffolk locations including Seckford Hall and the Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe, as well as on various roads throughout the county.
What they're saying: Rob Harvey, Marketing Manager at Bridge Classic Cars, said: "Self-taught, humble, and quite possibly the worst person I've ever met at accepting praise! Nick is finally getting the recognition he deserves for his talent, skill, and vision."
He captures everything "with one camera and, occasionally, a small drone. He then spends hours in the office putting everything together until it leaves us at an award-winning level," he added.

The legendary E-Type: Manufactured by Jaguar Cars from 1961 to 1974, the E-Type revolutionised sports car design with its sleek appearance, advanced technologies and impressive performance. With a claimed top speed of 150 miles per hour and sub-7-second acceleration to 60 mph, it was as capable as it was beautiful.
The bottom line: Nick's film celebrates what Enzo Ferrari was once said to have called "the most beautiful car ever made" – a British icon that continues to captivate hearts worldwide, now told through the lens of one of Suffolk's most talented creatives.
Watch the brilliant film below:


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