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Broadcasting March 16 2011 13:06

Programme Awards Triumph for Two Scots Indies

Two Scots independent TV production companies have been chosen among the winners at the prestigious Programme Awards, hosted by the Royal Television Society.

Both Tern and KEO north picked up prizes at the awards ceremony held last night in London, while STV and Matchlight (which is 50 per cent owned by its Scotland-based management team) were among those shortlisted.

KEO north – based in Glasgow and which has a sister, parent office in London – took the Best Documentary Series prize, with Welcome to Lagos KEO. Made for BBC Two, the programme was an observational series about the Nigerian capital.

Said the judges of Welcome to Lagos: “A mind-blowing series that changed the way you see the world… The incredible access to this hidden community must have been hard to achieve and was clearly built on trust. It created an eye-opening, refreshing and unsentimental portrait of life in the slums that was a brilliantly compelling watch.”

The executive producer at KEO north, Craig Hunter, told allmediascotland.com: “I am, obviously, absolutely delighted. It was a remarkable series made by a remarkably dedicated team.”

Meanwhile, Tern Television’s Breaking the Silence – made for BBC One Northern Ireland – was a winner in the Nations and Regions category. About suicide in Northern Ireland, the programme was made by Tern’s Belfast office, which has been operating for six years. It was directed by Brendan Byrne, produced by Carla McCabe and the cameraman was David Barker. It was edited by Jonny Craigmyle, who is based in Aberdeen, where Tern is headquartered. Its executive producer was Tern joint managing director and co-founder, David Strachan.

Said the judges, this time around: “A beautifully shot and moving film with compelling testimony which stayed with you long after you finished watching. This [programme] highlighted a startling and tragic issue in Ireland.”

It was a case of third time lucky for Tern, having finished runner-up twice before in this category of the RTS Programme Awards.

Strachan told allmediascotland.com: “It’s absolutely fantastic. I am very proud of the team who made it, it was a difficult film to make and a brave commission by BBC Northern Ireland. It was a privilege that people trusted us with their personal testimonies. Hopefully, it will prevent further suicides in the future.”

Matchlight – which is also 50 per cent owned by September Films, based in London and Los Angeles – was nominated in the History category, for At Home With The Georgians, while STV was nominated in the Nations and Regions one, with crime drama, Taggart.

Scots actor, David Tennant, was also a runner-up, in the Actor (Male) category.

The winners’ and runners-up list reads:

Entertainment

The X Factor A talkbackTHAMES and Syco TV Production for ITV1

Said the judges: “Undeniably a brilliant, genre-defining piece of television; the team behind this show never rest on their laurels and are determined to continually raise the bar and set new standards. Must-see television, which everyone talks about on a Monday morning.”

Nominees

The Million Pound Drop Remarkable Television, an Endemol Company, for Channel 4

The Cube Objective Productions for ITV1

Scripted Comedy

Miranda BBC Productions for BBC Two

Said the judges: “The jury admired the way the winner had taken the traditional sitcom format, and on another level fashioned it into an original, clever and immensely enjoyable and laugh out loud comedy that lifted the spirits of its audience.”

Nominees

The Inbetweeners A Bwark Production for E4

Rev Big Talk Productions for BBC Two

Arts

Alan Bennett and the Habit of Art A Lone Star/National Theatre Production in association with Arts Council England and More4

Said the judges: “This hugely impressive and contemporary film is beautifully crafted and multi layered, and explores both the extraordinary relationship between two great artists, and the writing and staging of Alan Bennett’s new play about their lives.”

Nominees

Genius of British Art (Episode 3: Howard Jacobson ‘Flesh’) Oxford Film and Television for Channel 4

A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss BBC Productions/BBC Bristol for BBC Four

History

The Secret Life of the National Grid BBC Productions for BBC Four

Said the judges: “An outstanding take on a potentially niche subject…./ Beautifully told stories linking our lives to a national institution we see and use everyday but have previously never questioned or studied. It ticked every single box and was a joy to watch.”

Nominees

Words of the Blitz ITV Studios for ITV1

At Home With The Georgians Matchlight for BBC Two

Science & Natural History

Wonders of the Solar System BBC/Science Channel co-production for BBC Two

Said the judges: “The winning series was filled with incredible facts and was a barrel load of fun. One of the breakout hits of the year that was brought alive by a stunning presenter whose enthusiasm, charm and wit catapulted him to the status of a national treasure.”

Nominees

How Earth Made Us: Deep Earth BBC Productions for BBC Two

Lost Land of the Tiger BBC Natural History Unit for BBC One

Single Documentary

Between Life and Death BBC Productions/BBC Wales for BBC One

Said the judges: “The winning entry was a powerful and sensitively filmed portrayal of the most tragic human condition. The production team had secured astonishing personal access which they handled with great care and respect, delivering a subtle, moving and beautifully shot documentary.”

Nominees

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding Firecracker Films for Channel 4

The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan Clover Films for More4

Documentary Series

Welcome to Lagos KEO north for BBC Two

Said the judges: “A mind-blowing series that changed the way you see the world… The incredible access to this hidden community must have been hard to achieve and was clearly built on trust. It created an eye-opening, refreshing and unsentimental portrait of life in the slums that was a brilliantly compelling watch.”

Nominees

Wormwood Scrubs Wild Pictures for ITV1

One Born Every Minute Dragonfly Productions for Channel 4

Features and Lifestyle Series

Pineapple Dance Studios Pulse Films for Sky1HD

Said the judges: “The jury thought the series was both innovative and entertaining, and were impressed by the confidence with which the programme embraced the popularity of reality television whilst moving the genre forward.”

Nominees

Don’t Tell the Bride Renegade Pictures for BBC Three

The Great British Bake-Off Love Productions for BBC Two

Nations and Regions Programme

Breaking the Silence Tern TV for BBC One Northern Ireland

Said the judges: “A beautifully shot and moving film with compelling testimony which stayed with you long after you finished watching. This [programme] highlighted a startling and tragic issue in Ireland.”