WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT RTS WEST OF ENGLAND AWARDS 

in association with Evolutions Bristol

FULL LIST OF WINNERS IN PDF AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

The Royal Television Society West of England Awards in association with Evolutions Bristol took place on Sunday 24th March at the newly refurbished Bristol Old Vic with a gala ceremony hosted by Deborah Frances-White, writer, stand up and host of The Guilty Feminist podcast. The television community of the West of England turned out in force to celebrate their work over the last year - guests included the DIY SOS team -Nick Knowles and Mark Millar, presenters Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall (Britain’s Fat Fight and Hugh’s Wild West)  Andy Day (Andy’s Safari Adventures) , Dr Yasmin Khan (A Passage to Britain), Charlotte Smith (Countryfile), Miles Chambers (Civilisations Stories: The Remains of Slavery) and TV historian David Olusoga.

The Interrogation of Tony Martin, shot and produced in the region and made by Story Films had a successful evening, with three awards for Scripted, Director and Editing. The judges described it as a ‘truly exciting piece of television, so well done technically and very well cast’. Starring Steve Pemberton, Daniel Mays and Stuart Graham, this factual drama plays out the police's interrogation of Tony Martin, the Norfolk farmer who shot a fleeing burglar dead in 1999 and is taken verbatim from the police interview recordings.

BBC Studios Natural History Unit also won three awards - two for landmark series Dynasties (Cinematography and Grading, which was overseen by post production facility Films at 59) and one in Natural History for its Natural World film, Pangolins: The World’s Most Wanted Animal. This film highlighted the plight of a little-known scaly mammal - the pangolin- which is the world’s most illegally trafficked animal.

The Factual award went to Label1 Television for School - a series which examines the challenges facing pupils, teachers, parents and school leaders across an academic year in three secondary schools in South Gloucestershire. BBC Studios Unscripted Productions triumphed in Factual Entertainment and Features with Antiques Roadshow, World War One Special and Testimony Films in Documentary for Hull’s Headscarf Heroes which marks the 1968 women’s campaign for safer fishing trawlers after three ships sank, killing 58 of their men. The short film God's Kingdom picked up two awards, for Sound and Composer

In News, Fiona Lamdin (BBC Points West) was awarded best News Reporter for the second year running for ‘her sensitively handled stories and great rapport with contributors’. ITV News West Country won two awards - for its film on the Basle Air Disaster in News Story and production journalist Charlotte Gay was presented with the 'Flying Futures' award.

Lynn Barlow, Chair of RTS West of England said “There was some extraordinary talent on display – in front and behind the camera - and ground breaking programmes with real impact and emotion.

“This is the one night of the year the broadcast community in the West comes together to celebrate their achievements and growing reputation as a global leader in production.”

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, BBC Studios Unscripted Productions, BBC Studios The Natural History Unit, ITV News West Country,  Films at 59, Doghouse Post Production, Icon Films, The Bottle Yard Studios and Bristol Film Office, UWE, The Bristol Hotel, Evans, Wall to Wall West, The Farm, Plimsoll Productions and Wounded Buffalo Sound Studios.

For more information and photos from the event, contact Suzy Lambert, Awards Producer, suzy.lambert@rts.org.uk or on 07967 680503