Documentaries led the way at the RTS West of England Awards, with Locked In: Breaking the Silence and Earth at Night in Colour both collecting three awards each. 

Locked In: Breaking the Silence won both the Documentary and Director awards for film-maker Xavier Alford who has a life-changing illness. The BBC Four Storyville film, which the judges described as “powerful, poignant and brave”, con- fronts Alford’s fears as he discusses his illness with family and fellow patients. 

Colette Hodges received the Editing award for the film. Children’s TV presenters Andy Day and Naomi Wilkinson hosted the awards at Bristol Old Vic in front of an audience of more than 300. Guests at the late-September ceremony included writer and campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and presenter Sarah Beeny. 

Offspring Films also scooped three awards for Apple TV+ series Earth at Night in Colour, a spectacular look at animals’ nocturnal lives narrated by the actor Tom Hiddleston. It won the prestigious Natural History award plus the Cinematography and Grading categories. 

Laura and Harry Marshall and their Bristol indie, Icon Films, were awarded the Sir Ambrose Fleming Memorial Award, RTS West of England’s special award for an outstanding and enduring contribution to television in the region. 

Jeremy Wade, who fronted Icon’s hit series River Monsters, presented the award, praising the production company for being “one of the most successful indies in terms of international profile, sales and merchandise”. 

He added: “Perhaps more importantly, Icon has placed a big emphasis on fostering and growing new talent.” 

RTS West of England Chair Lynn Barlow said: “It was really special to be able to hold this year’s awards, in person, at the Old Vic – so many of our winners were made during the pandemic, against the odds, proving just how much world-beating creative talent we have in the region. 

“And, what would we all have done without the TV over the past year?” 

The Factual award went to Bone Soup Productions’ BBC Two series Saving Britain’s Pubs with Tom Kerridge, while Keo Films’ War on Plastic: The Fight Goes On (BBC One) scooped the Factual Entertainment and Features prize. 

The Scripted award went to the much-lauded BBC One drama The Trial of Christine Keeler, which was made by Ecosse Films and Great Meadow. 

The RTS West of England Awards were held in association with Evolutions Bristol.