Channel 4 - FourDocs blog - RTS awards last night

RTS awards last night

Becca Frankel 20 March 2008, 2:23 PM

2 excellent documentaries won Royal Television Society awards, and both were made for Channel 4!

The best formatted documentary series went to Keo Film's Meet the Natives. They said - "It's rare¿ to find programmes that combine humour, warmth and a real sense of purpose so successfully. The characters were unforgettable and the insights into modern British life really stay with you." And this is what I said about the series in an earlier blog.

The best observational documentary was You're Not Splitting Up My Family, made by Windfall Films (who are famous for their innovative medical docu-drama, like Richard is my Boyfriend). Nichola Koratjitis filmed with the twin boys when they were 12, after their mother had died, their alcoholic father was unable to cope and their grandmother was cruel. They became embroiled in the world of social services after a reported smack, and their father essentially booted them out from home. Filming stopped when the boys went to live with their aunt. Koratjitis opportunistically returned 10 years later to find out what happened to them, and provides an excellent glimpse into how nurture shapes lives. Jason stayed with the aunt, whilst his twin Frankie had roamed in and out of trouble and institutions through out his teenage years. Jason had a girlfriend and domestic routine, Frankie had only an insatiable rage that prevented him forming a normal lifestyle. They said - "Extraordinary and absolutely outstanding, a prime example of what documentary could ¿ and should ¿ do. Immensely compelling and very moving, the film gave viewers a profound insight into a process rarely, if ever, observed at such close quarters."

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It's good to know...

... we've teamed up with The Co-operative for this competition. We have a team of experts ready to watch the films, and they will choose which one will win a cash prize of £2,000, which ones get shown to a Channel4 Commissioning Editor, and which ones have the chance to be shown on Channel 4 itself on their 3 Minute Wonder strand.

Entered so far ...