Prestigious Film Award Won by Degree Students
This May, four of our Media Production Degree Students received the Kodak Student Commercial Award for Best Script.
The Nahemi Kodak Student Commercial Awards is one of the most prestigious student events in the film industry in the UK, with colleges and universities from all over the country taking part. Four of our final year Media Production Degree students entered the competition with three attending the event at the Regent Street Cinema in London. The event showcased 30 second adverts shot on 16mm film created by students from all over the country, with a record-breaking 48 entries.
Under the guidance of Film Lecturer Leigh Alner, the theme of the competition chosen by our students was ‘Not on the High Street’. In response to the brief, students Jack Underwood, Alizee Merdy, James Bliss and Conor Andrews produced a humorous commercial about a teenager who decided to give his mother a home-made surprise birthday present. His intentions were good but the outcome was slightly less appreciated by his mum. The advert received a warm reception on the night.
Jack, James and Alizee joined Lecturer Leigh and Senior Technician Josh Sparkes at the event, where they picked up the Winners Award for Best Script. With some of the biggest film schools in the country taking part, simply being shortlisted for an award at this event is a big achievement.
On the judging panel this year was an array of experts from the film industry who selected the best commercials of the night. The panel was made up of Charlie Inman (Mother London), Mark Brandis (Libertine), Professor Suzie Hanna (Chair of NAHEMI), Susannah Hayes (commercials director), Danny Edwards (Editor, Shots), Sam Clark (Kodak), John Wood (Libertine) and Pete Souter (TWBA\London).
Programme Manager for Media Nik Turner said: “This is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved, after many years of entering the competition it’s the first award UCF has won and the students should be very pleased with their efforts.”
“These awards are highly regarded by industry and the achievement of winning cannot be underestimated.”
“The department is very proud of what they achieved and I have no doubt this will stand them in very good stead when they graduate this summer and start their journeys into the workplace.”
The University Centre is looking to display the award within the Media Department to inspire next year’s students.
For those interested in studying Media, please visit our pages for either School Leavers or University-level courses. Applications can be made online and Open Events are held throughout the year.
