The Learning on Screen Awards 2017

And the Winners are…

Some of the emerging stars of the British film-making world featured at the 13th Learning on Screen Awards last month and carried away a host of trophies.

The event celebrated the work of students from educational establishments across the UK, and the standard of entries hugely impressed the judges.

Scientist and broadcaster, Maggie Aderin-Pocock, told the audience that science education through film had played a big role in her life. “It’s wonderful to see this continue across many subject areas. I was blown away by the wealth of talent showcased across the nominated educational productions. On screen learning is in safe hands!”

Maggie told the assembled guests that film and particularly television had inspired her lifelong fascination with space and science. In fact, TV had played a huge part in creating her dreams of becoming  an astronomer. Some of her earliest recollections of her love of space are based on her memories of watching episodes of The Clangers as a child – and she was thrilled to be asked to launch the new series on CBeebies in 2015. Dr Who and Star Trek were other big favourites.  She told the audience that watching television and film helped her to move beyond the restrictions placed on her at school because of her dyslexia.

ERA sponsored two categories of the awards. The Student Production Documentary Award was won by ‘The Cut’, set in a barber’s shop in Luton. The director was Kenneth Kangethe and the film was produced by Akil Higgins, who studied at the University of Bedfordshire.  A Special Commendation was awarded to ‘The Female Voice’ directed by Julia Dos Santos and produced by Minji Kim, of Goldsmiths, University of London.

Matthew Swallow of The Manchester College won the Student Production College Higher Education Award for his film ‘Mr Perfect’, and fellow Manchester student James Oliver was awarded a Special Commendation for his ‘Stars on Mars’.

“This was a resounding endorsement of the contribution made by further and higher education institutions to the UK’s creative industries,” said Aly MacLaren, ERA’s Information Officer. “We are proud to be able to support rising talent and help to showcase the professional standard that students have achieved.”

Ian Wall, Director of Education at The Film Space and also Learning on Screen Chair, commented that the outstanding quality of each of the works nominated for an award had made selecting winners extremely difficult.

A full list of winners can be found on the BUFVC’s website.