A SELF-confessed film addict has been given new focus by the success of his college studies.
Restaurateur Adam Bouabda is zooming in on a new career thanks to the skills he has learnt while at Cleveland College of Art & Design.
As he joins his peers at the culmination of his two-year foundation degree in creative film and moving image production, he is already looking forward to another year of study at CCAD’s university campus in Hartlepool to complete an honours degree.
And in the meantime the owner of Flix movie café, next door to the college in Church Square, is already planning a summer of movie making.
The 32-year-old son of North-East restaurant owner Krimo Bouabda has worked in the food trade for as long as he can remember but is now determined to pursue is true love of TV and film.
His final major project saw him co-write, direct and produce a half hour TV pilot called Robin Hoodie, a contemporary twist of the medieval classic.
He also ended up acting in the film as a ‘bad guy’, along with wife Hayley, son Isaac, two, and his dad Krimo, editing it into the early hours and even designing and constructing a three-axis motorised gimble, a device that steadies his DSLR camera.
“I absolutely love it,” he said. “The café pays the mortgage but this is where my heart lies, in movies. I’m obsessed and have been since I was a child and watched Raiders of the Lost Ark with my family.
“I’m looking for a steady stream of corporate work which will allow me to film a big budget short film followed by a low budget feature film. Then I will see what opportunities arise. CCAD is a fantastic resource in terms of equipment and the tutors’ knowledge and I can’t wait to start the degree work.”
