Students Shine at NI College Media Awards

 ‘No shortage of emerging talent’ was just one of the take-away messages at the annual NI Colleges Media Awards hosted at South Eastern Regional College’s (SERC) Space Campus on 22 March 2023.

SERC scooped the Best Performing College Award in the annual celebration of work from creative media students from all six Further and Higher Education Colleges across five categories.

The Awards were hosted by DJ and Radio Presenter, Pete Snodden, who shared his journey into the creative media industry and encouraged the students to follow their passion for their careers, turning knock backs into motivation to get where they want to be.

Neal Johnston, Deputy Head of School for SERC Northern Ireland Film and Television School, said, “SERC are thrilled to have been presented with the Best Performing College Award and for our students to have won First Places for Photography, Moving Image Fiction, Moving Image Factual and Music Video, with four additional podium places - testament to the commitment and talent of our students which flourishes when nourished by the teaching and facilities we have at SERC.”

He added, “We were delighted with the body work submitted for the Awards which allowed us to showcase the talent progressing through all six Further & Higher Education Colleges for our creative media industries.”

The NICMA judges, industry professionals Joanne Hall, HETV Producer and Tim Bryans, ALT Animation Founder, found the judging process delightful but challenging. Fellow judge, Liz Barron, Northern Ireland Training Manager for ScreenSkills summed up, “The overall standard was high, and the winners were the ones who built in an element of surprise into their work or at the end of their story.”  

You can see more photos from the event on SERC's Facebook.

Award Recipients:

NI College Media Awards Best Performing College
South Eastern Regional College  

Photography:
First place: Mya Wilkinson (Bangor) – Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology (SERC)
Maya submitted a very impressive portfolio of work showing the female form. The judges liked the bold, closeup detail of many of the photos, the use of colour, the playfulness in challenging stereotypes and the beauty found in older, saggy skin. The composition of each shot was striking and memorable and every picture told a story.
Second place: Ryan Shephard National Diploma Creative Media Production (NWRC)

Third place: Morgan Hall (Belfast) - Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology (SERC)    

Moving Image Fiction:
First place: Mollie Armstrong (Bangor) – Ransom HND in Film & Television Production (SERC)
Drama is hard, pacing is hard, humour is hard - this film had it all. Really clever, well-written, well-shot and delightful. The judges laughed out loud several times. Molly is a real talent to watch.
Second place: Barry Adams - Father and Son HND Creative Media Production (SERC)
Third place: Connor McDaid - Jack the Ripper, National Diploma Creative Media Production (NWRC)  

Show Commended Prize:
Eva Glenn, Hear Me Out - HND Film (NWRC)  

Moving Image Factual:  
First place: James McCorry (Belfast) If Trees Could Sing HND Film & Television Production (SERC)
A strong, compelling story of a life turned around. The film’s subject was fascinating and told his story simply and powerfully. The shots were beautifully lit and framed. The filmmaker found a great story and allowed it to unfold with respect and restraint. A film to be very proud of. A life to be very proud of.
Second place: Chris Pollock (Belfast) Bleed Blue Newtownbreda FC HND Creative Media Production (SERC)

Third place: Lucas Deighan - National Diploma Creative Media Production (NWRC)  

Music video:
First place: Megan Johnston (Bangor) HND Creative Media Production (SERC)
This black and white video had the ambition of a drama and was beautifully designed, directed and shot. The costumes, make-up, staging, quality of storytelling and originality of the views of Bangor made the judges confident Megan is a talent worth watching.    

Second place: Stephen Rock (Conlig) HND Creative Media Production (SERC)

Third place: David Quinn (Belfast Met)

Animation:
First place: Matthew Acosta – HND Digital Design (NWRC)
All the judges complimented the very natural, believable movements of the cats. Judge Tim Bryans was really impressed at how well the hand drawings worked. This short, straightforward advertisement had charm, authenticity, and memorability.

Second place: Connor Conway (Belfast Met)
Third place: Joseph Dynan (Belfast Met)