Screen Yorkshire had an unforgettable night at this year’s Royal Television Society Yorkshire Programme Awards in Leeds (Friday 7th July), as Chief Executive Sally Joynson was presented with ‘The Outstanding Contribution Award’ for services to the television industry in Yorkshire.

Channel 4 drama Ackley Bridge, made with investment from its Yorkshire Content Fund, was also the biggest winner on the night, taking home four awards, including ‘Best Drama’. The Forge Entertainment series beat Emmerdale and Victoria to the prize, as well as ‘Best Fiction Director’ for Penny Woolcock, ‘Best Music’ for Tim Phillips and ‘Best Actor’ for Poppy Lee Friar.

Sally Joynson was nominated for ‘The Outstanding Contribution Award’ by individuals from the region’s industry.

Jess Fowle, Creative Director and Founder of True North, said ‘‘Sally is so passionate and her energy and enthusiasm for what we do here, the stories we have got to tell, the fantastic locations we have, but most of all the talent that is here, is infectious and that’s what makes her so brilliant.’’

Sarah Doole, Director of Global Drama at Fremantle Media, said: ‘‘Sally is an inspiration who has bought inward investment into the region in terms of cash, ideas, talent and the kudos of great story telling.’’

Duck Soup Film’s MD and Founder, Rebekah Wray Rogers added: ‘‘Sally’s been a support throughout my entire career as well as that of hundreds of other crew in Yorkshire.’’

True Vision Yorkshire won the documentary series category with C4’s ‘Catching a Killer: The Search for Natalie Hemming’, while the single documentary award went to BBC4’s ‘Handmade in Hull’ at the ceremony held at The Queen’s Hotel in Leeds on Friday hosted by Gogglebox stars Ellie and Izzi Warner.

The factual entertainment and features gong went to Shiver for ‘Elton John: The Nation’s Favourite Song’ for ITV and in the low cost factual category, Air Television took home the gong for UKTV’s ‘999 Rescue Squad’. The indie also won the ‘Independent Spirit Award’, sponsored by Channel 4 Nations and Regions.

Slung Low’s production team scooped the award for BBC2’s ‘Flood: To the Sea’ in the drama and comedy production segment; while Mammoth Screen’s dubbing mixers James Ridgway and Gareth Bull won the drama and comedy post production award for their work on ITV’s Victoria.

The Yorkshire Vet post production team from Daisybeck Studios triumphed in the factual post production category, while True Vision Yorkshire’s ‘Catching a Killer: The Search for Natalie Hemming’ took home the factual production prize.

BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire’s Look North scooped two awards: with Phillip Norton winning best news or current affairs reporter and Peter Levy taking home the presenter award, while BBC Yorkshire’s Look North won both best news or current affairs story for ‘House Prices’ and best news programme for ‘Manchester Arena Bomb’.

The RTS Yorkshire Centre Programme Awards took place on Friday 6 July at The Queen’s Hotel, Leeds. A full list of winners can be found at: RTS Yorkshire Programme Awards 2018

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