Student BAFTAdouble for NRCFilm students

Students Richard Parke and Naomi Doherty won awards - the student equivalent of a BAFTA- in two separate categories.

Both Richard and Naomi will take their television careers to the next level by studying in London next year and an RTS award is a highly prestigious addition to any young student`s CV.

Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry has presented the awards.

The event, which took place in the Black Box in Belfast, recognised the work and talent of young people studying media and associated subjects in local further education colleges.

Minister Farry said: “The creative media industry is of growing importance to Northern Ireland and we need to encourage and develop the creative talent of our students to achieve further success in this economically important sector.

“This event is proof that collaboration between industry and our educational establishments is encouraging the innovative approaches which provide the knowledge, skills, research and development that are fundamental to our economy’s future success.”

The Royal Television Society NI (RTSNI) awards are part of Creativity Month – a celebration of the Creative Industries in Northern Ireland.

The winners of the awards will go forward to the overall RTS Student Television Awards which will be held in London later in the year.

The Minister stressed that future collaboration should continue to underpin success: “Colleges and universities must maintain links with professionals from TV, film and animation to ensure that the curriculum is adapting and reacting to an industry which is constantly updating and evolving.

“Today’s event is a testament to what our local further education colleges can achieve by supporting their students to hold and achieve similarly high aspirations.”