The Royal Television Society West of England Awards in association with Evolutions Bristol took place on Sunday 21st April at Bristol Old Vic with a gala ceremony hosted by actor and comedian Jayde Adams. The television community of the West of England turned out in force to celebrate their work over the last year.

Guests included the cast of ITV2 sitcom Ruby Speaking including Joe Sims and Sam Swainsbury, Bristol based contestants from The Traitors, Mollie Pearce and Charlie Bees, TV presenter, author and historian David Olusoga, property expert and TV presenter Sarah Beeny, explorer and presenter Bertie Gregory and TV chef Nadiya Hussain.

Rain Dogs, the dark comedy drama about a makeshift family bound by defiance, chaos, poverty and pain, won two awards – in Scripted and for Daisy May Cooper in On Screen Performance for her role as working class single mum Costello. The judges commended Daisy for an “engaging and surprising performance, an unconventional leading lady.”

Silverback Films won five awards for its natural history content including a win in Natural History for Netflix’s Life on our Planet narrated by Morgan Freeman. It was hailed by the judges as ‘amazing, gripping and epic. This programme should be shown in every classroom across the country to inspire the next generation of filmmakers.’ The BBC’s Natural History Unit won three awards, including the landmark Planet Earth 111 taking home the Cinematography and Production Management awards.

David Olusoga impressed the judges to win On Screen Talent for his work on BBC Two’s Union with David Olusoga (Uplands TV/Wall to Wall Media) and the show also won in Factual. The Dog Academy (Five Mile Films) won in Factual Entertainment and Features and Humza: Forgiving the Unforgivable (Drummer Television) championed in Documentary.

In News, Fiona Lamdin from BBC Points West won in News Journalist and the Barton House story from BBC Points West won in News Story, which recalled its evacuation after a major incident was declared over the safety of Bristol’s oldest tower block.

Lynn Barlow, Chair of RTS West of England, RTS Trustee and Assistant Vice-Chancellor Creative and Cultural Industries Engagement, UWE said “Another outstanding year of winners who are leading the way in global production across all genres. The region goes from strength to strength.”

“Thank you to all our sponsors and special thanks to Netflix for funding a number of tickets for new talent from under-represented groups across the region.”

Notes to Editors

The RTS is Britain’s leading forum for television and an educational charity. Governed by industry professionals, for the benefit of the industry, it brings people together to exchange ideas, debate and explore key issues. RTS Futures Bristol is a talent initiative, delivering a programme of events aimed at those entering the industry.

Sponsors of the RTS West of England awards include title sponsor Evolutions Bristol, Silverback Films, One Tribe TV, BBC Studios Factual Entertainment Productions, BBC Studios Natural History Unit, Channel 4, ITV News West Country, The Bristol Hotel, Doghouse Post Production, Lux Aeterna VFX, The Bottle Yard Studios, Films at 59, Wounded Buffalo Sound Studios, University of the West of England, Picture Shop, Netflix, Gorilla, Wall to Wall West, Two Four Post Production and Gritty Talent.

Photographer @JonCraig_Photos