RTS Midlands Student Television Awards winners announced

Last night, the Royal Television Society Midlands Centre held its annual Student Television Awards, sponsored by BBC Birmingham.

Held virtually and streamed online via YouTube, the ceremony was presented by BBC Asian Network presenter Bobby Friction and showcased clips from nominated productions before unveiling winners for key categories.

Amongst the categories up for gongs were Animation, Non-Scripted, Scripted, Short Form and craft skills including Writing, Editing, Sound and Camera.

Education institutions with students up for nomination included Nottingham Trent University, Staffordshire University and Anglia Ruskin University.

A special Sir Lenny Henry achievement award was also presented to Anglia Ruskin University creative student Lidia Bieniarz for her work ‘A Film About My Dad’.

The accolade was presented by entertainer and actor Lenny Henry himself who recorded a poignant message congratulating all of the students for their efforts despite having to work through a difficult time during the COVID pandemic and national lockdowns.

Speaking in a video message, the Dudley-born comic said: “‘A Film About My Dad’ was really moving and well done to Anglia Ruskin University because you guys win the overall prize. I thought the whole film was moving. The whole thing about fathers and their children, fathers and daughters particularly, resonates in my heart.

“So congratulations to ‘A Film About My Dad’ as the overall winner and congratulations to everyone really, because they’re all exception films in their own right and they’re all winners.”

Event host Bobby Friction added, “As I always say to anyone I’m mentoring or anyone just coming into this industry for the first time, know this, not only are you the future of this industry, you’re literally defining culture for this country and possibly even this planet as we move forward.

“We put our believe in you, all you need to do is go forward and pay back that belief and, between you and me, have a massive laugh as well.”

The full list of winners can be found below:

Animation

WINNER: Polaris

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Ellen Gordon

BROADCASTER: Nottingham Trent University

OTHER NOMINEES: Pokhysel, Risk It For A Biscuit

Non-Scripted

WINNER: Living Off Grid – Brithdir Mawr

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Thomas Read

BROADCASTER: Staffordshire University

OTHER NOMINEES: Finn’s Law, Ragpickers

Scripted

WINNER: Callie

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Georgia Leigh Taylor

BROADCASTER: Staffordshire University

OTHER NOMINEES: Scouts Honour, Heads or Tails

Short Form

WINNER: A Film About My Dad

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Lidia Bieniarz

BROADCASTER: Anglia Ruskin University

OTHER NOMINEES: Handbrake – Camens, Colorblind

Craft Skills – Writing

WINNER: Callie

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Georgia Leigh Taylor

BROADCASTER: Staffordshire University

OTHER NOMINEES: Polaris, What Happens At Sea

Craft Skills – Sound

WINNER: Polaris

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Ellen Gordon

BROADCASTER: Nottingham Trent University

OTHER NOMINEES: Mortal

Craft Skills – Editing

WINNER: Colorblind

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Agata Kazmierczak

BROADCASTER: Anglia Ruskin University

OTHER NOMINEES: Polaris

Craft Skills – Camera

WINNER: Lowkey – Bushrod

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Thomas Read, Natalie Argent, Tom Connor

BROADCASTER: Staffordshire University

OTHER NOMINEES: Colorblind, What Happens At Sea

Sir Lenny Henry Award

WINNER: A Film About My Dad

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Lidia Bieniarz

BROADCASTER: Anglia Ruskin University

WATCH the RTS Midlands Student Awards:

Read more about the RTS Midlands Student Television Awards 2021 here.