Midlands Awards 2025

Awards Ceremony

Friday, 12 December, 2025
The Vox
Resorts World
Birmingham
B40 1PU
United Kingdom

RTS MIDLANDS CENTRE AWARDS 2025

You are invited to submit programmes or other content which were, or will be broadcast and/or published on any platform between 01 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 for consideration for the Midlands Centre Awards for 2025.

Enter the RTS Midlands Awards 2025 HERE

Category

Overview

1.Scripted

 

 
  • This category is for scripted series, a one off special or a returning series.
  • It must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) AND/OR principally produced in the Midlands.
  • You must enter one whole episode from the series or the whole of a single drama or comedy.
  • The judges will be looking for high quality story-telling, originality, creativity and technical expertise throughout the production.

 

 

2.Acting Performance
  • This Award recognises an outstanding acting performance in a series, one off special or returning drama series
  • Entrants should be from the Midlands, based in the Midlands or feature in content produced in the Midlands.
  • Entrants should submit one piece of edited work showing the acting performance they are entering.

 

3.Supporting Acting Performance
  • This Award recognises an outstanding supporting acting performance  in a series, one off special or returning drama series
  • Entrants should be from the Midlands, based in the Midlands or feature in content produced in the Midlands.
  • Entrants should submit one piece of edited work showing the acting performance they are entering.

 

4. Breakthrough Award

(On Screen)

 

 

 

This Award recognises the very best front of camera new talent from the broadcast, digital and online community across the region and includes:

  • presenters
  • actors
  • reporters

-Entries should be up to a maximum of 10 minutes in length and should include a minimum of two items to demonstrate the talent.

-Please note – to qualify as new talent, entrants must not have previously entered any RTS Awards.

-Entrants should be from the Midlands, based in the Midlands or feature in content produced in the Midlands.

 

5. Breakthrough Award

(Off Screen)

This Award recognises the very best of the new talent from the broadcast, digital and online community across the region and includes:

  • Craft skills (editing, sound, camera etc)
  • Writers
  • Producers
  • Directors
  • Post production

-Entries should be up to a maximum of 10 minutes in length and should include a minimum of two items to demonstrate the talent.

-Please note – to qualify as new talent, entrants must not have previously entered any RTS Awards.

-Entrants should be from the Midlands, based in the Midlands or feature in content produced in the Midlands.

6. On Screen Personality

 

This Award recognises an outstanding on-screen personality from the Midlands or featured within a Midland based production broadcast on any platform.

  • Presenter
  • Journalist
  • Show host
  • Interviewer
  • Commentator

The subject covered by the personality will not be judged.  It will be the individual’s delivery and on-screen relationship with the viewer that will be considered. 

-Dramatic characterisations are not eligible (see Acting categories).  

-Entries should be a maximum of 10 minutes in length and should include a maximum of three examples of work.

-Entrants should be from the Midlands, based in the Midlands or feature in content produced in the Midlands.

 

7. Journalist of the Year

 
  • The Journalist of the Year award is for the best work during the year by a broadcast or online journalist either from the Midlands or Midlands based.
  • Reporters, video, online journalists and correspondents are welcome to enter, they can be specialists or in general news reporting.
  • This award is open to news organisations, agencies, websites or production companies. 
  • Broadcast entries should be no longer than 30 minutes with no internal edits in individual reports.
  • Online entries should be no longer than 10 minutes.
  • The entry should include a minimum of three items to demonstrate the range of the journalist.
  • The accompanying submission with this category must make it clear exactly what the reporter did, whether it was self-edited, self-shot and how much post production was involved. The judges will take any third party help into consideration. 

 

8. News Programme of the Year

The Award for Best News programme will be awarded based on quality of coverage, presentation and information in the following:

•             Live and Studio news

•             Sporting coverage

•             Real events

This must be one whole programme no longer than 30 minutes.

The entry must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) AND/OR principally produced in the Midlands.

 

9. Craft – Production

This Award recognises achievement behind the camera and includes:

  • Camera work
  • Sound
  • Lighting
  • Production design
  • Costume
  • Drone camera work

Entrants must either be Midlands based or originally from the Midlands.

 

 

10. Craft – Post Production

This Award recognises achievement in creative artistry, innovation and audio & visual manipulation and includes:

  • video or film editing
  • music/ composing - original score or original song
  • sound mixing & editing
  • visual effects

 

Judges will also consider ingenuity in approaches including remote direction of artists, creativity within the confines of socially distanced filming and scriptwriting to reflect the sudden new norm.

 

Entrants must either be Midlands based or originally from the Midlands.

 

11. Popular Factual Series

 
  • For programmes which explore us and our world in an entertaining way, engaging the viewer with compelling narratives.
  • Including, but not limited to, lifestyle, fly on the wall, reality television, travel, cookery, hobbies, home and garden, science, natural history and the environment, history and the arts, consumer issues, business.
  • A single programme should be submitted in full.  One episode from a series is acceptable and entries from broadcast and digital platforms will be considered. A compilation of edits is not acceptable.

 

  • Entries must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) AND/OR principally produced in the Midlands.
  • Entries can be one episode of a series or a one-off programme.

 

12. Documentary

 

 
  • This category is to celebrate non-fiction story telling presented with facts to narrate events that actually occurred and can be referenced.
  • Entrants can submit a single feature, single episode or a montage of a series for consideration.
  • Current Affairs content can be included in this category
  • This category will be judged on content, delivery and production and how the work allows others to see the world from a new perspective.
  • Entries must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) AND/OR principally produced in the Midlands.
  • The programme may be across any platform, including regional, national, international and digital formats.

 

13. Writer
  • This award is to recognise the wealth of writing talent in the region.
  • Demonstrating exceptional talent and skill this award is for stand out pieces of work in the world of writing for broadcast.
  • The judges will be looking for quality, originality, style and creativity from this writer.
  • This award is for anyone who received a ‘writer’ credit on any qualifying show including drama, comedy, factual, children’s TV or programmes featuring significant amounts of scripted content.
  • The programme may be across any platform, including regional, national, international and digital formats.
  • Please submit either the full programme or, in the case of a series, one programme from the series.
  • Writers must either be Midlands based or originally from the Midlands.

 

14. Short Film

 

 
  • This award is for short film- up to 40 minutes - broadcast on any platform - non scripted / scripted.
  • All entries must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) AND/OR principally produced in the Midlands.

 

15. Promotional

  • This Award recognises production excellence and creativity in content made to promote products or services.
  • Content may be promotional, public information, training, educational, entertainment, special interest or other purposes and can be broadcast on any platform.
  • Entries must be from, about or made for a Midlands based company.

16. Animation
  • This award is for films that include cartoons, computer or electronically generated images.
  • Entries can be 2D or 3D animation, motion graphics or stop motion.
  • Where the animation/CGI sequence or sequences are part of a production with other portrayal, the judges will consider primarily the quality of the animated/CGI sequences.
  • Entries can be a stand-alone animation piece or an animation insert to another piece of work.
  • Judges will be looking for outstanding skill and creativity in the craft of animation and how well the animation works for its target audience.
  • Entries must be from a Midlands based company or individual or must be part of a programme made about or in the Midlands.

17. Diversity Champion  Award
  • Open to individuals, teams or organisations who are championing diversity and inclusivity in the Midlands screen sector and whose work is helping to break down barriers.
  • Work should recognise and highlight race, gender, disability, age, LGBGTQ+, religion and socio-economic diversity.

18. Director
  • Excellence in using television to create an authentic representation of a situation, reality or fiction.
  • Please submit up to three 5 minute examples of work demonstrating a range of directing styles which evokes strong emotions through the collaboration of all departments.
  • Directors must either be Midlands based or originally from the Midlands.

19. Children’s Programme
  • This category recognises professional excellence in the field of children’s programmes. Series (one episode) and single programmes can be entered for children's drama, factual, comedy and entertainment programmes. Animations are also included in this category.
  • All entries must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) AND/OR principally produced in the Midlands.

 

20. The RTS Midlands UB40 Music Video Award

21. Sustainability

This award recognises the very best in demonstrating a commitment to sustainable production practices that can include, but is not limited to:

  • Clear evidence of environmental certification including your score (for example BAFTA’s Albert, Green Production Guide, GreenScreen).
  • Evidence of delivering on a carbon reduction plan (energy and/or transport).  This can be either as a TV series or short film, scripted or unscripted.
  • Evidence of sourcing local across the majority of your production cycle (crew, supply chain, catering)
  • Examples of complete environmental waste reduction plan.
  • Sourcing second-hand materials for build, props and costume.
  • Upcycling, re-using, donating materials at the end of your production cycle.
  • Being mindful of your productions meat consumption
  • Avoiding the use of harmful chemicals on set and within your production offices and base (water stewardship).
  • Securing sustainable financing for your production.
  • Incorporating the sustainable development goals (climate storytelling) into your content, details can be found here https://sdgs.un.org/goals
  • Providing clear evidence of reducing environmental impact across your production cycle.

Judges will be looking for productions that can show clear evidence of any of the above sustainable production methods using supporting data with the appropriate metrics.

NOTE: Your production must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) AND/OR principally produced in the Midlands

Open to individuals, teams or organisations who are implementing sustainable production techniques or championing sustainability.

ENTRY INFORMATION – PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION CAREFULLY

All of the information you need to submit your entry is below.

  • Programmes or content must have been produced, published, commissioned or creatively controlled by a Midlands based company or must be at least principally shot in the Midlands (55%) and/or principally produced in the Midlands. 
  • Midlands Region for the purposes of these Awards includes: Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire.
  • RTS Midlands strongly encourages diversity, in all its forms, across all categories.   In common with other RTS awards, entrants should bear in mind in selecting their entries that judges are asked to ensure that these awards reflect diversity within the industry and within wider society.
  • The entry must have been first broadcast, released or published on a media platform between 1/7/24 and 30/6/25
  • You may enter your work whether or not you are a member of the RTS.
  • All entries must be submitted online by following this link: 

https://awardsentry.rts.org.uk/entrant

  • You will need to register as a user in order to submit your entries.
  • Once you have registered you will need to Create Entry. In this section you can upload any relevant documentation that you would like the judges to consider.
  • Please ensure when submitting your entry online that you complete all of the relevant boxes for each entry and please attach any supporting documentation that you would like the judges to consider to the submission when prompted
  • When submitting your entry make sure you choose to create your entry for RTS MIDLANDS AWARDS as other centres awards will also be listed here.
  • Please ensure all spellings are correct at the time of entry as we will copy and paste our information from the information submitted onto the system by you. Please also use capital letters where required.      
  • A 20 second clip of each entry must be submitted along with your entries (not instead of your entry). If your entry is nominated, this 20 second clip will be used as part of the presentation at the awards dinner, so please ensure it showcases your entry effectively.
  • If you are entering the same piece of work into more than one category, please ensure you submit a different 20 second clip for each entry.
  • Work which has been shown at Film Festivals during the qualifying period can be submitted

PLEASE NOTE – ALL ENTRIES WILL BE ADMINISTERED AFTER THE 21st JULY AND WE WILL BE IN TOUCH AFTER THIS DATE TO CONFIRM ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR ENTRY INCLUDING THE FEE. WE WILL NOT LOOK AT INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES BEFORE THIS DATE DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS.

ENTRY FEES

  • There is an entry fee of £80 plus VAT per category. 
  • If a programme is entered in one or more categories, a payment is required for each category entered. 
  • Entries will not be considered or progress to judging panel unless full payment has been made before the closing date for entries. Approved broadcasters are unaffected. 
  • Refunds will not be given for entry fees should you wish to withdraw your entry after submission.

 HOW TO PAY

  • Please make payment by card online. A link to pay can be found on your invoice that is generated once your entry has been submitted. BACs is unavailable unless you are an approved broadcaster.
  • Entries will not progress to the judging panel until payment is received. To avoid delays, please submit your payment promptly. Approved broadcasters are unaffected.
  • Purchase orders should be updated during the entry confirmation process or can be emailed to RTSMidlands@rts.org.uk if you wish to add after submission. 
  • Any entry not paid for by Monday 04 August may be disqualified without refund. 
     

ENTRY DEADLINES

  • The closing date for entries is Friday 11th July 2025.  Entries received after this date will not be considered.
  • The online submission system will be open for you to submit entries from Monday 20th November 2024.
  • Please note – we have already extended the deadline by a week and no further extensions will be granted as this can eat into administration and judging time.

MIDLANDS SHOW REEL

  • If you would like us to include your work in the RTS Midlands 2025 showreel please upload an additional clip of your work to the section marked Midlands Show Reel. Please make this a different 20 second clip to the one you will be uploading which will be shown if your work is nominated. By uploading your clips you are giving RTS permission to use your work to promote production in the Midlands via RTS social media and You Tube channels. Please note clips will only be used where appropriate and whilst we will try to include all clips submitted we will not guarantee to include your work.         

JUDGING

  • Each category will be judged by a panel of independent Judges.
  • Judging will take place during August and early September 2025.
  • The Judges reserve the right to move submissions to more appropriate categories if necessary.
  • Details of judges will be given in the Awards Ceremony Programme.
  • If you would like details of the judging process please email RTSMidlands@rts.org.uk.

NOMINEES AND WINNERS

  • Nominees will be announced during the week of the 29th September 2025.
  • You will be advised by email if you have been nominated.
  • A full list of nominees will be posted on our website.
  • Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 12th December 2025. Tickets for this event will go on sale when the nominees are announced. Anyone wishing to attend the awards ceremony including nominees must purchase a ticket.

FURTHER INFORMATION

  • For all enquiries relating to the Awards criteria or the judging process please contact Jayne Greene either by phoning 07792 776585 or emailing RTSMidlands@rts.org.uk