The Royal Television Society Republic of Ireland Centre presented their annual Student Awards at a gala ceremony in Dublin recently, recognizing the quality of television production talent in Ireland’s third level colleges and universities. On hand to present the awards in RTE’s Studio 4 were Adrian Lynch, Director of Audience and Channels, RTE; Bill Malone, Director of Content, Virgin Media Television; Alan Esslemont, Director General, TG4; Jenni McNeaney, General Manager Boulder Media, and Dancing with the Stars judge, Brian Redmond.
The Award for Drama Category was presented to Director Emma Smith of the National Film School IADT Dún Laoghaire for the short film Starry Night. The Comedy & Entertainment Category was presented to Andy Power, Dundalk Institute of Technology for the short film Ghost Estate. The Short Form Category was presented to Director Cian Desmond, National Film School IADT Dún Laoghaire for Looking For. The Factual Category was awarded to Aidan Martin Connolly of Dundalk Institute of Technology for the documentary The Wildgoose Lodge Massacre. The Animation award was presented to Director Holly Keating, Ballyfermot College of Further Education for CTRL+ALT+Z.
This year for the first time, the RTS Republic of Ireland Centre awarded two craft awards: Jack Desmond, National Film School IADT Dún Laoghaire, for outstanding cinematography in the Short Form entry Looking For; and Lori Stacey, IADT National Film School, for the excellence of her editing on STARRY NIGHT. The winning entries go forward to a Grand Final in London next June, contending with winners from other RTS Centres. Irish nominations have a very good track record at this venue, bringing home trophies for overall winner on several occasions. Last year’s Irish and overall winner in the Drama category, Backwater, has gone on to gather awards and accolades at venues all over the world, after its initial success in London last June.
