The West of England’s television community turned out in force last Sunday evening to celebrate their work over the past 12 months.
Hosted by Countryfile’s Anita Rani, the Royal Television Society West of England Awards, in association with Evolutions Bristol, took place at the Bristol Old Vic. 
Guests at the gala ceremony included Nick Knowles and Mark Millar from DIY SOS, writer, chef and broadcaster Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, CBBC favourites Andy Day and Naomi Wilkinson, Jonathan Dimbleby and actor Susan Wokoma (Crazyhead).
The drama categories were dominated by Sherlock: The Abominable Bride (Hartswood Films) which took home four awards including Best Drama, Cinematography, Director and Composer – David Arnold and Michael Price were on hand to receive their award.
BBC Studios The Natural History Unit had a successful evening, scooping three awards for the landmark series Planet Earth 11, which won best Natural History, Editing and for Fredi Devas, Best Director for the stunning ‘Cities’ episode.
Jago: A Life Underwater, a film about an 80-year-old sea nomad called Rohani, against the spectacular backdrop of the Togian Islands, won four awards including Documentary and Cinematography. Wildlife cameraman Vianet Djenguet won the On-Screen Talent award for his personal film for BBC’s Natural World: My Congo.
In Factual, Heroes of Helmand: The British Army’s Great Escape (Testimony Films) triumphed against Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s Saving Africa’s Elephants: Hugh and the Ivory War (Keo Films), The Somme 1916: From Both Sides of the Wire (BBC Studios) and Yeti: Myth, Man or Beast (Icon Films). DIY SOS: Million Pound Build for Children in Need won in Factual Entertainment – the programme had delivered a centre for young carers in Blackpool and the judges cited the programme’s ‘strength in finding great stories and delivering high octane emotion.’
In News, Caron Bell (ITV News West Country) was hailed a fresh and original voice for the News Reporter award and Inside Out (BBC West) won for News Coverage for its Inside Amazon report, described as ‘gutsy journalism against a household name’. BBC Bristol received a special award in recognition of its impact and influence in the region.
RTS CEO Theresa Wise presented the award, outlining BBC Bristol’s pivotal role in the economy and culture of the city – and beyond. Mark Linsey, the new director of BBC Studios was also on hand to support his teams in BBC Studios and highlight a number of key BBC anniversaries to celebrate this year – The Natural History Unit is 60, Points West is 60, Gardeners’ World is 50 and Antiques Roadshow is 40. There was applause for ‘a combined 210 years of Bristol brilliance’.
Lynn Barlow, RTS Bristol chair and director, creative industries, at UWE said: “This year’s awards prove Bristol’s film, animation and television companies are producing some of the world’s most popular programmes and leading the way in digital innovation in a rapidly changing environment.
“We have more than 131 independent production and post-production companies in the city and last year they brought in £140m to the local economy. Almost 4,000 people now work in the business. We have never been stronger.”
Sponsors of the RTS West of England awards included title sponsor Evolutions Bristol, BBC Studios Unscripted Productions, BBC Studios The Natural History Unit, BDH, ITV West, Films at 59, Doghouse Post Production, Icon Films, Tigress Productions, The Bottle Yard Studios and Bristol Film Office, UWE, Hotel du Vin & Bistro, Plimsoll Productions and Evans.
Photos of the winners and from the gala awards ceremony will be featured in a special Creative Business News picture gallery in our next e-bulletin
