A Hampshire-based filmmaker has won Rising Star Creator of the Year at the the first-ever UK TikTok awards.
George Harper makes cinematic-style travel videos, both from the UK and trips abroad, to inspire others to travel and get into filmmaking.
“I go to these places to experience it for myself, my camera is just a way of capturing it,” he said.
The 31-year-old gained more than 55,000 followers by sharing videos of places like Marrakech, Snowdonia, and Barcelona, with some of his videos reaching more than three million views.
Mr Harper, who also works as a freelance videographer, said when he received an e-mail from TikTok saying he had been shortlisted for an award, at first he did not think it was real.
“I thought it might have been a scam but I read it a couple of times and it was legit. I never even expected to be nominated, never mind win the award,” he said.
The event was held in Shepherds Bush in front of a crowd of more than 800 other content creators and media figures, as well as being live-streamed on TikTok itself.
“It was a big night,” he said. “Red carpet, a lot of amazing creators, and a free bar as well.”
When asked what the secret ingredient to creating viral videos is, he said there was no one answer.
“Some videos do well, some don’t. There is no deciding factor,” he said.
“If you are thinking of creating content of any kind then focus on something you’re passionate about and be consistent.
“You never know who could be watching or what it could lead to.”