The second Royal Television Society (RTS) NI Student Television Awards took place at the Black Box in Belfast on March 24.
Over 80 guests joined host Aidan Browne (Belfast Metropolitan College / UTV / RTS NI) and keynote speaker Judith Hill (UTV) to toast the rising stars of the creative industries and celebrate the key relationship between the creative sector and the education section. In recognition of this the Minister for Learning and Employment, Dr Stephen Farry MLA, attended the event and presented awards to the winners.
Supported by the Creative Industries Innovation Fund, the RTS NI Student Television Awards exist to recognise the importance of education within the television and creative industry.
The winners of the RTS NI Student Television Awards will be automatically put forward to the national RTS Student Media Awards which will be held in London later this year. At these awards they will compete against follow media students at a national UK level.
Minister Farry said: ‘The creative media industry is of growing importance to Northern Ireland and we need to encourage and develop the creative talent of our students to achieve further success in this economically important sector.’
He continued: ‘This event is proof that collaboration between industry and our educational establishments is encouraging the innovative approaches which provide the knowledge, skills, research and development that are fundamental to our economy’s future success.’
Michael Wilson, Chair of RTS Northern Ireland Centre, said: ‘The RTS NI Student Television Awards offers the opportunity for talented media students from across Northern Ireland to showcase their work to some of the creative industry’s biggest names. Winning an RTS NI Student Television Award will give media students within Northern Ireland a real profile in the industry as well as a recognised accolade to put on their CV and I am overwhelmed to see such support for the annual awards ceremony.’
Lorraine McDowell, Director of Operations, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented; ‘The Arts Council is pleased to support the RTS NI Student Television Awards through the Creative Industries Innovation Fund. The creative industries are vital to the growth of the Northern Ireland economy and this event highlighted the importance of mutual co-operation and effective working relations between the creative and education sectors for successful and sustained growth. Congratulations to all award winners and I wish them well as they go on to compete nationally.’
The winners of the Drama Award sponsored by Westway Films were Conal Tutin and Joel Spence of Belfast Metropolitan College for ‘Tout’.
The Comedy & Entertainment Award sponsored by Stellify Media was Naomi Doherty from Northern Regional College for ‘Classroom Coliseum’. The Factual Award sponsored by Crawford McCann went to Frankie Price and Conor Shearer of Belfast Metropolitan College for ‘White Heat’. Finally, the Open Award sponsored by Sixteen South went to Richard Parke of Northern Regional College for ‘Say Something’.
