Young film-maker scoops top award

Katie Stubbs, 15, from Cleadon, won the Drama Category at the Young People’s Media Festival.

The teenager’s short film, YOUnique, explores how people hide behind makes in a bid to fit in and judges agreed she had taken a sophisticated approach to her film.

They said the use of music and sound had been executed well.

The University of Sunderland hosted the Royal Television Society (RTS) North East and Border Centre, Young Peoples’ Media Festival, which celebrates work from students, schools and colleges throughout the North East, North Yorkshire, and Cumbria.

BBC senior producer and RTS award-winning presenter Chris Jackson compared the event. BBC TV’s Wolfblood star, ​​Rachel Teate, also attended and helped Tony Edwards, Festival Director and Graeme Thompson, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Media, present the winners and those commended with the specially designed and RTS approved trophies and certificates.

here were more than 35 entries which involved nearly 145 young people and they were judged for their creativity, storytelling, craft skills, originality and the creativity shown by the entrants.

As well as clinching the Drama Category, Katie was also awarded an RTS Commendation Certificate in the Factual Category for her film, Wartime Memories, which the judges said was well made with good interview technique and effective use of archive material.

The awards took place in the digital cinema of the David Puttnam Media Centre on the university’s Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s Campus.

Graeme Thompson, Dean of Arts Design and Media at the University of Sunderland, and chairman of the RTS North East and the Border Centre, said: “I am delighted we were able to host more than 150 young people and their teachers at this event.

“As a university we are passionate about creativity and believe young people should be given every encouragement to grow their talent. Bringing together the students of the future with the professionals of the present was a real privilege.”

Tony Edwards, Festival Director and member of the RTS Regional Committee, said: “This year’s entries have showcased the talent that the North East has, and some of the work really has been truly exceptional.

“I think the most important thing about this Festival, is to give reward and encouragement to our young people’s creativity and commitment.”