MITCHELL'S Jake Harrison is proof that hard work can get you just about anywhere you want to go in life.

Jake, 17, has been acting since he was 15 years old, and this week he ticked a major item off his to-do list: Become an award-winning actor.

The Gold Coast Film Festival announced Jake as the winner of the SIPFest Best Actor award.

SIPFest, otherwise known as the Shorts in Paradise Festival, is an annual showcase of the best short films from across Australia.

Jake received the award for his work in the short film Skin Like Bark, which charts the emotional journey of Sam, a young boy who, after committing a violent crime, must face his actions and decide what kind of man he wishes to become.

"My husband and I are extremely proud of Jake,” mum Lisa Harrison said.

"He works really hard and we know it's not easy for anyone to put themselves out there.”

Born and raised in Mitchell, Jake attended Mitchell State School, and St John's in Years 8 and 9, before relocating to Brisbane to focus on his acting.

"A big goal of Jake's is to one day be able to come back home and help others who might want to pursue a similar dream.

"It just shows anyone from a small town can get to where they want to get to, and he has the support from Mitchell, Roma and the surrounding towns behind him, it's fantastic.”

Mrs Harrison said it was Jake's attitude that made him successful.

"He is always the first to say hello and genuinely makes people feel valued,” she said.

"We fully believe he has everything it takes to make it in the acting industry and will always support him all the way. We will do the same for our three girls as well because I think everyone deserves to follow their dreams.”

Jake is a Year 12 student at Marist College Ashgrove in Brisbane, while also training and honing his skills at acting studio, The Factory.

Recently, he was lucky enough to complete a week-long masterclass with acting coach Larry Moss.

"It was a really intense, amazing week for Jake, and as a result of that his mind shifted a lot,” his mum said.

"So coming out of that and then winning this award has just concreted for Jake that he's doing this for all the right reasons.”