Sheffield Hallam students have picked up five out of a possible ten awards at the Royal Television Society’s Yorkshire Student Awards

Press contact: Emma Griffiths | e.griffiths@shu.ac.uk

The awards recognise the professional standard of the students’ work and are a significant achievement for students starting their career in the film and TV industry.  

Lucy Walsh took home the Animation award for her film The Night Terror, a 3D animation about a small teddy bear coming to life, only to discover he isn’t alone wandering the room in the dark. 

On winning the award, Lucy said: “Winning felt very surreal, the fact my film could compete was such an amazing feeling; it was a brilliant night, and to have my work shown alongside so many talented creators was a great honour!” 

A Craft Award for Writing was given to Timm Cleasby and Daniel Hinchcliffe for their film, Pie Village, which was also shortlisted for the Entertainment and Comedy Drama award.  

Pie Village follows the travails of a tourist through the highlights of Yorkshire. When their phone runs out of battery, a visit to the nearest pub changes everything. 

Timm Cleasby said: “Having our film shortlisted for the Royal Television Society Yorkshire Student Awards was amazing; the event was a great place to meet people and network with others from around the region and to see others work too.  

“Being Dyslexic, I never thought I’d win an award for writing, it means so much to me as I’ve always had the opinion that I’m no good at it. The support I’ve had from Hallam through my course from tutors and from my Dyslexia Support Tutor has given me confidence to write and this award shows that with support and determination you can do anything.” 

Two Craft Awards for Production Design were also won by Hallam students. The first was won by Tom Fell, Bob Zane Gilbert, and Keara Harper for their documentary 470 - Peter’s Story, about Peter Corbett and his family. 

The film reflects on his near-fatal banger racing accident at Buxton Raceway in 2009, and its effect on his family and his life since. It was produced in association with the Air Ambulance Service. 

The second was awarded to Talia Chippendale for the hand-drawn 2D animation, V.Pyre, set in a futuristic city where humans search for the secret to biological immortality. 

A final Craft Award in Cinematography was won by Rita Machado Pail for the film Whole.  

Chris Hall, Senior Lecturer in Film and TV Production, said: “Our students are great. It’s always a joy to see what they come up with and to guide them through the creative process, which isn’t always easy for either us or them. They are brilliant at developing the demanding technical aspects of filmmaking with the collaborative and interpersonal skills required. 

“I'm proud to say that we were one of the first courses in the country to teach industry-standard, sustainable filmmaking. These factors, along with our students just being great to start off with, all help to make great films.”