Screen industry professionals from across the region gathered last night in Newcastle at the launch of the RTS North East and the Borders Awards for 2024.
The awards ceremony next year is set to be bigger than ever as a result of the significant increase in production across the North East and Border region over the past 12 months. Figures from North East Screen show there have been 64 separate TV and Film productions in the year to date – the largest increase in more than a decade.
An update to the categories was announced with the introduction of a new Craft Award and new awards for journalism (on screen and production) Newcomer, Comedy, Cinematography and Sports. 20 awards will be given out in total with 11 Production Awards, 5 Individual Awards, 3 Professional Excellence Awards and the Centre Award.
Joanna Makepeace-Woods, Interim Chair of the RTS North East and the Borders said;
“The categories and criteria have been reviewed and refreshed this year to reflect the growing screen industry in the North East and to highlight the expertise and talents of more of our amazing crew and talent, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Our region has a lot to be proud of and we want to showcase the achievements of our highly skilled professionals. This year we have introduced a new category - The Craft Award, sponsored by North East Screen, in a bid to uncover the unsung heroes of TV production in the North East and Borders. The award is a chance to highlight exceptional talent across a range of roles from make up to props, art directors, location or production managers, finance managers to costume designers.”
The awards ceremony which will take place on Saturday 24th February 2024 at Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, is the annual event for TV professionals based in the region and a chance for the industry to come together to celebrate outstanding creative talent and television content. Comedian Jason Cook will be returning to host the event.
Sponsors of the launch event, True North Post, a post production house based in Leeds, have plans to establish a North East base to serve the growing requirement in the region.
Gemma Ackerley, Business Growth Consultant at True North Post said;
“We were thrilled to support the RTS at last night’s event. It is very encouraging to see screen industry growth here in the region. There are lots of plans, lots of investment opportunities and a great network of industry professionals who are working together to attract new business to the area.
Bringing over 25 years of post production experience to the North East we are keen to talk to local businesses and support them in this growth and be a part of what we believe can be a major centre for TV production in the UK.”
For full details of the awards and criteria click here
Entries are now open https://awardsentry.rts.org.uk/entrant/
Entries and nominations are welcome from across the sector from non-members as well as members of the RTS. The deadline for entries is 5pm on Wednesday 1st November.