Naomie Harris has said she had never dared dream of becoming a Bond girl when she was starting out in acting.
The 35-year-old British actress stars alongside Daniel Craig, Dame Judi Dench and Javier Bardem in the new James Bond film Skyfall, currently in production.
Naomie revealed at the First Light Awards 2012 at the BFI Southbank: "I never thought it was a possibility, so it's hugely exciting to be a Bond girl."
She added: "I'm loving it. I love Sam Mendes. He's a fantastic director. And Daniel Craig is incredible to work with, so I feel incredibly lucky."
At the event, the Pirates of the Caribbean star presented the best documentary award to teenagers Pascale MacGillivey and Jade Medhurst for their film Homelessness which celebrates the filmmaking skills of young people aged five to 25.
Naomie praised the awards for inspiring young people and said the advice she was given as a child by her drama teacher still rang true.
She said: "I started off at the Anna Scher theatre school in Islington and she was a real inspiration to me; super-passionate and also very, very down to earth.
"And she really taught me that acting was a job like any other job and not to have airs and graces about it, but just to be grateful because it's a tough profession."
First Light, which is supported by the National Lottery, provides funding and expertise to enable five to 25 year olds to make their own short digital films and media projects, helping to encourage the next generation of British filmmakers.
Judges included Oscar-winning directors Sam Mendes and Tom Hooper.
SLIDESHOW: James Bond Skyfall press conference