A 'sci-fi drama game show' for children has netted Scotland a second award at the Celtic Media Awards, celebrating the best of broadcasting, film and 'interactive talent' among the Celtic nations and regions.
But after the final day, yesterday, of the three-day event – in Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis – it was to prove slim pickings for the Scots entries. In total, 19 awards – 'Bronze Torcs' – were up for grabs. Some 450 entries were submitted from across Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, the Isle of Man and Ireland.
Attended by over 350 delegates, this – the 32nd – festival ended with awards being doled out for radio documentary, current affairs, radio presenter/personality, animation, childrens’, young people, student factual and student Entertainment.
In addition, there was a Spirit of the Festival prize, a Jury prize, and the Radio Station of the Year award.
The Scots' success in the children's award section was for Mission: 2110 – from BBC Scotland Childrens / CBBC. The festival organisers describe it as “a sci-fi drama game-show set in the year 2110 which sees young recruits, led by hero Caleb, take on challenges in a bid to battle the evil Roboidz”.
Best Radio Documentary went to In Search of the Gododdin from BBC Wales. Says the festival: “[It is] the story of Poet Gwyneth Lewis who explores the origins and meaning of the Gododdin, a sixth-century Welsh poem elegising the slain British warriors who made a last stand against the Saxons in the famous Battle of Catterick”.
The Current Affairs Torc went to Spotlight: The Iris Robinson Investigation, from BBC Northern Ireland. Continues the festival: “With its revelations about Northern Ireland’s First Minister's wife, the programme has attracted worldwide media coverage and a handful of awards already.”
The Radio Presenter/Personality of the Year award went to Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí, from Irish language radio station, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.
The Torc for Excellence in Animation went to The Tannery by Axis Animation / Channel 4. Says the festival: “This five-minute short follows the story of a fox who encounters the ghost of a rabbit, and reflects on his responsibility as a hunter. The encounter develops into an unusual relationship – but when a Hunter prepares a Pelt for market, Fox discovers his connection with The Tannery.”
The Young People award went to Cow from Tred Films in Wales. Says the festival: “This short was produced with the help of Gwent Police and highlights the dangers of texting when behind the wheel of a car.”
The Student Factual Torc went to Signing My Life Away by David Brittain and Simon Lawson from Wales
The Student Animation Torc was awarded to Whatever Happened to Ultraman by John Walsh from the Republic of Ireland.
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, the only national Irish language radio station broadcasting across the island of Ireland, was announced as Radio Station of the Year, while the Jury Prize, which is a special award made at the discretion of the international jury for quality of production, direction, technical or craft excellence, was awarded to Between Life and Death by BBC Wales. Says the festival: “This provocative documentary follows the doctors who can now interrupt, and even reverse, the process of death.”
Added the organisers: “The Spirit of the Festival is a coveted Gold Torc which is presented to a film or television programme wholly or substantially in a Celtic language. It is the only award reserved to promote Celtic languages on film and television, and this year it went to Ras yn Erbyn Amser by POP 1 / S4C. The series follows Presenter Lowri Morgan as she prepares and trains for the 6633 Ultra which covers 350 miles over eight days in the Arctic Circle's sub-zero temperatures.”
