Staffordshire filmmakers going for gold at RTS Awards
Filmmakers from Staffordshire University are going for gold in the region's own student 'Oscars' next month.
Staffordshire University has received 15 nominations at the RTS Midlands Students Awards 2020 – more than double any other university in the competition.
Students and recent graduates from across the University’s film and animation courses feature in all but one of the eleven award categories with some being recognised multiple times.
Georgia Taylor, studying media (film) production, has received a hat-trick of nominations for ‘One-Eighty’, the tale of a young girl who realises that she is a victim of grooming and ‘Story of My Skin’ following women with the skin condition vitiligo.
Advertising, film and video production graduate Lauren Burnham has also received three of nominations for ‘Night Hopper’, an atmospheric short film about living with sleeping disorders.
Eyerusalem Lema, studying media (film) production, is up in two categories for ‘Black Bottles’ which explores mental health issues among men in black communities. Gus Kearns, who graduated with a BA (Hons) stop motion animation and puppet-making this summer, has also been shortlisted twice for his reimagining of the classic tale ‘St George and the Dragon’.
Esme Nancarrow, Sam Herdman, Natalie Argent, Alice Briers, George Rawding and Connor Fenton have all also been shortlisted for prizes.
Matt Brindley-Sadler, associate dean in the school of computing and digital technologies, said: "We are passionate about providing students with opportunities to learn practical skills from day one of their studies. These are the core skills that graduate recruiters are looking for and our students’ successes are testament to their commitment to learn all they can throughout their course.
"The fact that Staffordshire University has received more nominations than any other university showcases the high quality and standards presented by students of film and animation here.
“Following hot on the heels of the Oscars, we’re thrilled that so many of our talented students and graduates will get the full ‘showbusiness experience’ of an awards ceremony in recognition of their achievements – congratulations."
Winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Sir Lenny Henry at BBC Birmingham on March 19.
