The University of Westminster led the way with 11 nominations and three wins at the RTS London Student Awards, which were announced via a live stream in March.
Middlesex University chalked up two nominations and two wins. The awards ceremony at Channel 4 was cancelled with the onset of coronavirus. University of Westminster students Ralph Sansum, Ben Douglass, Kristof Szenasi, Ben Holt and Louis Holder won the Factual Award for Oh Me Lads. The judges said it was “honest and charming – old-fashioned in a good way”.
From the same university, Mishel Mirpuri took the Sound award for Cutting, while the Production Design prize went to Westminster’s Laurie Esdale for Mr and Mrs Bucket.
Middlesex University’s two awards came in the Drama and Writing categories. Candido Tarallo and Vinicius Rigoni’s Italian-set film Vocazione, said the judges, has “a confidence and maturity about it that introduced a hint of Antonioni”. The Writing prize went to Rohan Reddy’s film, Nice to Meet You, Florence!.
The other main category awards went to Kingston University (Animation), Ravensbourne University (Comedy and Entertainment) and South Bank University (Short Feature).
Jury chair Aradhna Tayal said: “I was greatly impressed by the ambition of this year’s nominations, and the range of important and often unrepresented topics. These awards play an important role in supporting and celebrating upcoming talent.”
Winners
Animation
You’re Fit
Lydia Reid, Kingston University
Comedy and Entertainment
Biggy
Henry Oliver, Jordi Estapé Montserrat and Liam Morgan, Ravensbourne University London
Drama
Vocazione
Candido Tarallo and Vinicius Rigoni, Middlesex University
Factual
Oh Me Lads
Ralph Sansum, Ben Douglass, Kristof Szenasi, Ben Holt and Louis Holder, University of Westminster
Short Feature
Hinterland
Marcin Sehn and Rob Hill, London South Bank University
Craft Skills – Camera
Moksha
Jithin Majeed , Regent’s University London
Craft Skills – Editing
Downfall
Bradley Cocksedge, Matias Heker and Stephen Moroz, University of Hertfordshire
Craft Skills – Production Design
Mr and Mrs Bucket
Laurie Esdale, University of Westminster
Craft Skills – Sound
Cutting
Mishel Mirpuri, University of Westminster
Craft Skills – Writing
Nice to Meet You, Florence!
Rohan Reddy, Middlesex University