Professionals and students have a lot to celebrate, says Matthew Bell
David Olusoga scored a double win at the RTS West of England Awards, taking home the On-Screen Talent and Factual prizes for Union with David Olusoga. In the BBC Two series, the historian investigates the origins and development of modern Great Britain. Bristol wildlife specialist Silverback Films won five awards, including the Natural History category for Netflix’s Life on Our Planet, which is narrated by Morgan Freeman. The series was praised by the judges as “amazing, gripping and epic. This programme should be shown in every classroom across the country to inspire the next generation of film-makers.” Life on Our Planet also picked up the Editing award.
Wild Isles, Silverback’s series for BBC One, which was presented by Sir David Attenborough, won in two categories: Director and Composer – for George Fenton’s extraordinary score. The company’s researcher Ellie Jo Hilton won the Flying Futures award, which recognises exceptional behind-the-camera emerging talent.
The BBC’s Natural History Unit won three awards, with Planet Earth III taking home the Cinematography and Production Management awards, and The Prehistoric Planet 2 triumphed in the VFX and Digital Creativity category.
BBC One and HBO comedy drama Rain Dogs won two awards on the night – in the Scripted category and for its star, Daisy May Cooper, who took home the On-Screen Talent: Performance award for her portrayal of working-class single mum Costello. The judges commended her for an “engaging and surprising performance, an unconventional leading lady”.
Channel 4 series The Dog Academy, made by Five Mile Films, took home the Factual Entertainment and Features award and BBC Three’s Humza: Forgiving the Unforgivable, produced by Drummer Television, secured the Documentary prize.
The Journalism categories were both won by BBC Points West; Fiona Lamdin took the Journalist prize while the Story award went to the regional news programme’s report on the safety of Bristol tower block Barton House.
The ceremony at the Bristol Old Vic in late April was hosted by actor and comedian Jayde Adams from the sitcoms Ruby Speaking and Alma’s Not Normal.
RTS West of England Chair Lynn Barlow said it was: “Another outstanding year of winners… leading the way in global production across all genres. The region goes from strength to strength.
“Thank you to all our sponsors and special thanks to Netflix for funding a number of tickets for new talent from under-represented groups across the region.”
RTS West of England Television Awards 2024 winners
Scripted – Rain Dogs, Sid Gentle Films for BBC One and HBO
Natural History – Life on Our Planet, Silverback Films for Netflix
Documentary – Humza: Forgiving the Unforgivable, Drummer TV for BBC Three
Factual – Union with David Olusoga, Uplands TV/Wall to Wall Media for BBC Two
Factual Entertainment and Features – The Dog Academy, Five Mile Films for Channel 4
On-screen Talent – David Olusoga, Union with David Olusoga, Uplands TV/Wall to Wall Media for BBC Two
On-screen Talent: Performance – Daisy May Cooper, Rain Dogs, Sid Gentle Films for BBC One and HBO
Flying Futures – Ellie Jo Hilton, Silverback Films
News or Current Affairs Story – BBC West News Team, Barton House, BBC Points West
News or Current Affairs Journalist – Fiona Lamdin, BBC Points West
Animation – The Sound Collector, Eagle Vs Bat for ITVX
Children’s – The Very Small Creatures, Aardman for Sky Kids
Director – Hilary Jeffkins, Alastair Fothergill, Nicholas Gates and Chris Howard, Wild Isles, Silverback Films for BBC One
Composer – George Fenton, Wild Isles, Silverback Films for BBC One
VFX and Digital Creativity – VFX Team The Prehistoric Planet 2, BBC Studios Natural History Unit for Apple TV+
Cinematography – Cinematography Team, Planet Earth III, BBC Studios Natural History Unit, co-produced by BBC America, ZDF, FTV and The Open University for BBC One
Editing – Edit Team, Life on Our Planet, Silverback Films for Netflix
Grading – Christian Short, Super/Natural, Films at 59 for Plimsoll Productions for National Geographic and Disney+
Sound – Sound Team, Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory, Evolutions for Wildstar Films for National Geographic and Disney+
Production Management – Production Management Team, Planet Earth III, BBC Studios Natural History Unit, co-produced by BBC America, ZDF, FTV and The Open University for BBC One
