The Royal Television Society West of England today announces the shortlist of nominations for its annual awards, in association with Evolutions Bristol.There’s work across the fields of on screen talent, craft, scripted, regional television news and a range of factual programming including natural history and documentary.

The RTS West of England Awards is the only annual celebration of the region’s creative community and this year we are again delighted to include the work from our sister centre -RTS Devon and Cornwall.

“Our nominees demonstrate the richness of our production community and celebrate the very best of the best; there are world leading programmes and sharp new voices in documentary, scripted, natural history and news.

“It’s been a very tough 12 months and this year’s awards are an opportunity to celebrate work created in the region that is watched by millions,” said Lynn Barlow, RTS West of England Chair and Assistant Vice-Chancellor Creative and Cultural Industries Engagement at UWE.

BBC Studios Natural History Unit leads the way with twelve nominations, with Planet Earth 111 featuring heavily. Silverback Films has eleven nominations for natural history shows including Wild Isles, Life on our Planet, narrated by Morgan Freeman and Our Planet 11. Netflix’s Chimp Empire (Underdog Films and Keo Films) secures five nominations

In scripted, drama Rain Dogs starring Daisy May Cooper and Jack Farthing scoops five nominations, it’s an unconventional love story between a working-class single mum, her ten year old daughter, and a privileged gay man. From the brilliant new voice of author Cash Carraway, it was made by award winning production company Sid Gentle Films (Killing Eve) from its development and production arm, Sid Wild, based in Bristol at The Bottle Yard Studios.

The On Screen Talent category sees historian and author David Olusoga (Union with David Olusoga) go head to head with presenter and writer Sarah Beeny documenting her recent diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. Alongside BBC Springwatch newcomer Hannah Stitfall and explorer and adventurer Bertie Gregory, for Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory.

In Documentary, four powerful projects are nominated–two from Drummer TV, Humza Arshad, Forgiving the Unforgivable, the BBC One film featuring YouTuber and comedian Humza Arshad exploring whether unsettled scores can be left behind and Birmingham Made Me for the British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust. Plus, Pete Doherty, Who Killed My Son? (Five Mile Films) exploring the unexplained death of Mark Blanco in 2006 after attending a party with rock star Pete Doherty and finally A Paedophile in My Family: Surviving Dad (Frank Films)  in which a successful businesswoman and mum confronts a childhood of repeat sexual abuse by her dad as he prepares to leave prison.

In News, ITV News West Country have three nominations across News Journalist and Story, with BBC Points West at two nominations, alongside a nomination for BBC Channel Islands and BBC South West.

The RTS West of England Awards will take place on Sunday 21st April at the Bristol Old Vic. Bristolian, actor and stand up comedian Jayde Adams will host the awards. Jayde is also a nominee for her performance in ITV call centre comedy Ruby Speaking, which is also nominated in the Scripted category.

Notes

Sponsors of the RTS West of England Awards in association with Evolutions Bristol include Silverback Films, One Tribe TV, Picture Shop, 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, Wall to Wall, Gorilla Post Production, BBC Studios Natural History Unit, BBC Studios Factual Entertainment Productions, ITV News West Country, Channel 4 and Netflix.

For more information on the awards, please contact Suzy Lambert, Awards producer on rtswestofengland@rts.org.uk

 

About Evolutions:

Evolutions Bristol are delighted to remain the headline sponsor for the 2024 West of England RTS Awards.

Now more than ever, it is important for us all to take time to celebrate our region’s wealth of talent and achievements.  This year’s nominations certainly showcase the breadth of creativity and excellence we have to offer.

Over the past year, Evolutions Bristol has been through a period of consolidation, strengthening our skills and expertise.  We would like to thank all our loyal clients we have worked with over the past twelve months.

A huge congratulations to every nominee.