The Royal Television Society (RTS), Britain’s forum for television and related media, announced the winners of its national RTS Student Television Awards 2019, sponsored by Motion Content Group, at a ceremony held this afternoon at the BFI Southbank. The high-profile awards ceremony was hosted by BBC Radio One presenters Matt Edmondson and Mollie King.
Across six categories, the RTS Student Awards celebrate the best audiovisual work created by students with both an undergraduate and postgraduate winner awarded in each category across Animation, Comedy and Entertainment, Drama, Factual, News and Short Form. This year, the winning entries came from students at 12 universities and institutions across the UK. Students from the National Film and Television School led the way with five wins, closely followed by the Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, Dun Laoghaire with four wins and the University of Sunderland with three.
To reward excellence in craft skills, awards were presented in the following categories at the judges’ discretion: Camerawork, Editing, Production Design, Sound and Writing. The RTS Student Television Judges’ Award was presented to Music & Clowns, Alex Widdowson from the Royal College of Art, who also took home the award for Postgraduate Animation.
Siobhan Greene, Head of Entertainment Commissioning, ITV and Chair of the RTS Student Television Awards, said, “The juries this year had some extremely tough decisions to make, narrowing down an impressive line-up of incredibly creative entries from all over the UK. We were delighted to recognise and celebrate the incredible talent coming into the industry last night. Congratulations to all the winners!”
Please see below the full list of winners and nominees, as well as the juries’ comments on each winner:
Animation, Undergraduate:
- WINNER – Earthly Delights – Efa Blosse-Mason (University of the West of England)
The jury loved the originality of this stylised and sensual film. Being an allegory about mother nature it opened up a wider debate about ecology with the jury. Delights conveyed serious issues using the comedic touch that made us all laugh out loud.
Nominees:
- Anna – Jessica Mountfield, Dominic Povall and Team (Arts University Bournemouth)
- Towels – Prawta Annez and Camilla Kjaernet (Falmouth University)
Postgraduate:
WINNER – Music & Clowns – Alex Widdowson (Royal College of Art)
The jury was moved by this fascinating snapshot of a family. The filmmakers had laid themselves bare and created an honest and genuinely affecting film.
Nominees:
- Desire Line – Ruini Shi, Gareth Young, Michele Bianch and Mike Wyeld (Royal College of Art)
- Good Intentions – Anna Mantzaris (Royal College of Art)
Comedy & Entertainment, Undergraduate:
WINNER – Delicious Love – Alana Volavola, Freddie Berman, Ben Holmes, Jade Elwood, Sophie Masterman and Team (University of Gloucestershire)
Unanimous in its impact on the whole jury. It was distinctive, original, and a memorable visual treat with its use of graphics, colour, and set. Loved the narration too. Congratulations.
Nominees:
- Chopsticks!! – Aeddan Sussex (Middlesex University)
- Meatball – Jack Barrie, Cal Brown, Charlotte Glasgow, Celine Woodburn and Ben Evans (University of Derby)
Postgraduate:
WINNER – Uncommon – Connor Langley, Michael Rowlands, Mark Hunter and Jack Jarvis (University of Sunderland)
Brilliant, mortality tale for Christmas. The jury loved the use of a rhyming narration and the friendship which was at the centre of the storytelling. Warm, well-shot and comic timing was excellent in the writing and the acting.
Nominees:
- Control – Webster Mugavazi and Robin Pagnanelli (National Film and Television School)
- Pre-Occupation – Elena Marotta, Adam Tindall, Moira James-Moore and Emie Wang (Goldsmiths University)
Drama, Undergraduate:
WINNER – Backwater – Brendan McCallion, Frank O’Malley, Robin J. Kavanagh and Brendan Corcoran (Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, Dun Laoghaire)
“This film takes a big topic but cleverly delivers it in a small and sensitive way. Very well directed with a structure that allows the conflict between its characters to play out sensitively and without judgement. This film was confident, beautifully shot, well-acted and really delivered on its promise.”
Nominees:
- Just Josie – Georgina Rowlands, Ben Porro, Katia Shipulina, Lily-Evelina England and Nathalie Carraro (University of Westminster)
- What Separates Us From the Beasts – Edward Kondracki, Sedona May Tubbs, Kieran Howe, JP Pezet and Team (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
Postgraduate:
WINNER – Smoked Mackerel – Ciarán Charles, Scott Butler, Michael Lambert and Gemma Carline (University of Sunderland)
Smoked Mackerel is a terrific piece of grounded realist filmmaking, making full use of the Irish setting and language, which gives it an immersive sense of place. The panel praised this subtle coming of age film for its fantastic young performances and atmosphere.
Nominees:
- Dead Birds – Johnny Kenton, Sabina Smitham, Amelia Spencer and Team (National Film and Television School)
- The Pilot – Nathan Carter (University of York)
Factual, Undergraduate:
WINNER – Nick Reynolds: The Final Portrait – Jesse Hargrave, Adam Polley, Curtis Stephan, Stacey Willis and Lewis Woolcock (Solent University)
Had the jurors gripped from the start. It was a layered film that had so much to say about death and how we view the subject matter. Nick is a great documentary character and the film left us wanting more. Great music.
Nominees:
- Mathew vs Pritchard – Jake Hardy-Behrends, Ethan Blake Brooks, Vratislav Karas and Marketa Janouskova (University of South Wales)
- The Bad Guy – Cory Thomas, Laura Buchanan, Giulia Veronelli, Marco Di Gioia and Danny Flynn (University of Stirling)
Postgraduate, WINNER – Fake News Fairytale – Kate Stonehill, Jimmy Campbell Smith, Ronnie McQuillan, Conor Meechan, Alexandra McArdle and Team (National Film and Television School)
A highly original film that tells a topical urban horror story with insight, wit and panache.
Nominees:
- some of these days – Vincent Förster, Olesya Ryasik, Anne Talenta, Scott McCrone, Tino Mensel and Team (Edinburgh College of Art)
- We Are All Here – Hannah Currie (Goldsmiths, University of London)
News, Undergraduate:
WINNER – Horse Racing’s Gender Divide: The Final Hurdle – Elliot Hawkins (University of Lincoln)
Judges thought this was a fresh look at the role of women in sport. Good voices that were given time to breath. The entry was technically accomplished in its production and judges had particular praise for the sequences shot out on the gallops.
Nominees:
- A Testing Choice for Down’s Syndrome – Jennifer Smith (University of Salford)
- At Arm’s Length – Teri Limongi (University of Sheffield)
Postgraduate, WINNER – There’s Something in the Water – Grace Marner (University of Sheffield)
The judges loved Grace’s entry. A well-produced package that delivered for its target audience – complex science told in an engaging way. Grace succeeded in not dumbing down her journalism. The real highlight was Kurt the Crab – a simple idea and well executed.
Nominees:
- Special Needs: Failure to Educate – Philip Sime and Imogen Harper (City, University of London)
- Twnel y Rhondda – The Rhondda Tunnel – Jared Lawthom (University of Sheffield)
Short Form, Undergraduate:
WINNER – I Love Tennis – Sam Buffery (London South Bank University)
The writing was poetic with a rhythmic coherence.
Nominees:
- Nose – Izzy Mooney, Kiki Nafig, Emma Lazenby, Jake Lucas and Team (University of the West of England)
- Speak to Her – Jack Desmond, Philip Emo, Sean Doupe and Cian Desmond (Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, Dun Laoghaire)
Postgraduate, WINNER – Hold Still – Alexandra Brodski, Nikita Leibovici, Matt Gillan and Team (National Film and Television School)
Simple, stunning and fantastically executed in a single shot.
Nominees:
- A Missing Beat – Maria Abdel Karim (Bournemouth University)
- The Pool – Julia Alcamo (Arts University Bournemouth)
Camerawork, Undergraduate:
WINNER – Backwater – Robin J. Kavanagh (Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, Dun Laoghaire)
This film grabbed you for the opening shot, the camerawork in this film was incredibly accomplished. Natural and well lit, you could have been watching work done by a professional.
Nominees:
- Chopsticks!! – Roan Lenihan (Middlesex University)
- Speak to Her – Sean Doupe (Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, Dun Laoghaire)
Postgraduate, WINNER – Dead Birds – Jonathan Flint (National Film and Television School)
An incredibly impressive film, filled with stand-out moments and featuring a wide range of outstanding shots, all shot by a very skilled practitioner.
Nominees:
- Fake News Fairytale – Ronnie McQuillan and Kate Stonehill (National Film and Television School)
- some of these days – Vincent Förster (Edinburgh College of Art)
Editing, Undergraduate:
WINNER – Backwater – Brendan Corcoran (Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, Dun Laoghaire)
Fantastic timing, an impressive edit helped to tell this story in the best way possible. Nailed it.
Nominees:
- Chopsticks!! – Aeddan Sussex (Middlesex University)
- Speak to Her – Cian Desmond (Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, Dun Laoghaire)
Postgraduate, WINNER – some of these days – Anne Talenta (Edinburgh College of Art)
The edit for this film really helped bring to the fore the heart in this story.
Nominees:
- Dead Birds – Conor Meechan (National Film and Television School)
- Smoked Mackerel – Gemma Carline (University of Sunderland)
Production Design, Undergraduate
WINNER – Delicious Love – Jade Elwood (University of Gloucestershire)
So bright and so clever, the look and design of this film were simply outstanding.
Nominees:
- Backwater – Muireann Howley (Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, Dun Laoghaire)
- Just Josie – Nathalie Carraro (University of Westminster)
Postgraduate,
WINNER – Dead Birds – Ian Crossland (National Film and Television School)
The design in this film was very well thought out and executed.
Nominees:
- A Missing Beat – Alena Shen (National Film and Television School)
- Control – Fiona Guest (National Film and Television School)
Sound, Undergraduate:
WINNER – What Separates Us From the Beasts – Robin Boreham (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
Multi-layered and well mixed, technically very accomplished and very impressive use of location sound, this was done by a highly talented practitioner.
Nominees:
- Chopsticks!! – Aeddan Sussex and Zack Wills (Middlesex University)
- Delicious Love – Kate Sininde (University of Gloucestershire)
Postgraduate:
WINNER – Dead Birds – Sean McGarrity (National Film and Television School)
Fantastic sound design which was well executed, the dub both complimented and enhanced the visuals and dramatic sections.
Nominees:
- A Missing Beat – Filipe Botelho (Bournemouth University)
- some of these days – Scott McCrone and Sebastian Dieterle (Edinburgh College of Art)
Writing
WINNER – Speak to Her – Philip Emo (Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dun Laoghaire)
A beautiful story, very well told.
Nominees:
- Anna – Jessica Mountfield (Arts University Bournemouth)
- Backwater – Brendan McCallion and Frank O’Malley (Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dun Laoghaire)
Postgraduate:
WINNER – Smoked Mackerel – Ciarán Charles (University of Sunderland)
An excellent script is just the beginning for this outstanding film.
Nominees:
- Dead Birds – Amelia Spencer (National Film and Television School)
- Fake News Fairytale – Kate Stonehill (National Film and Television School)
Judges’ Award
WINNER – Music & Clowns – Alex Widdowson (Royal College of Art)