The novelist and writer Michael Korda wrote: “One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals.” It’s a theme that was highlighted as the West Midlands Combined Authority held its Creativity Week this autumn.
Birmingham-born Baig, who cast shows including Peaky Blinders and Man Like Mobeen, was awarded the Baird Medal for Off-screen work by Mobeen actor Tolu Ogunmefun.
Armitage, who starred in The Hobbit and most recently Netflix’s Obsession, received the Baird Medal for On-screen work. It was presented by real-life SAS soldier Billy Billingham, chief instructor on Channel 4 show SAS: Who Dares Wins.
The writers of the Tiger Aspect production, Guz Khan and Andy Milligan, were named Best Writers for the third year running.
Dúaa Karim, who stars as Khan’s little sister in Man Like Mobeen, won the Acting (Female) award, while the series also took the Craft – Production prize.
Hereford-based production company and charity Rural Media matched Man Like Mobeen, nabbing three awards for: Flesh (Animation); film-maker Luke Collins (Breakthrough Off-screen); and BBC New Creatives (Short-form).
The Dudley-born comedian sent a message to the awards. “Thank you for sending me these films to peruse, enjoy and, in some cases, spit out my tea with laughter,” he said.
“The hard work and perspiration that has gone into these little gems is very easy to see. The makers care about their films and filled each frame with emotion, enthusiasm and energy. I laughed a lot at the winning entry, but I was also moved by the other pieces.”
Khan won the Acting Performance (Male) and Outstanding New Talent awards, and was also named Best Writer, with the co-writer of Man Like Mobeen, Andy Milligan.
More than 300 people attended the awards ceremony, which was hosted by television presenter Trish Adudu, at Birmingham Town Hall in November.
ITV News Central took home a hat trick awards for News Programme of the Year; Journalist of the Year for Balvinder Sidhu; and Digital Creativity.
MIDLANDS AWARD CATEGORIES 2016
Best Promotional Programme
This Award recognises production excellence and creativity in programmes intended either for general or specialised audiences made either for corporate purposes or retail/mail order sale.
They may have promotional, public information, training, educational, entertainment, special interest or other purposes.
They must not have been broadcast other than as an insert to a separate programme
