BBC leads the broadcasting industry with four CDN awards
The BBC won four of the eight categories at the 2014 Creative Diversity Network Awards last night – more than any other broadcaster.
Published: 12 November 2014
Growing Up Down’s is BBC Three at its best. Will Jessop’s film captures all the rites of passage through the eyes of four young actors with learning difficulties.
The Corporation was recognised for Best On Screen Talent, Best Writer/Director, Achievement in Production and won the prize for CDN ground-breaking programme.
Director of TV Danny Cohen says: "I'm so delighted to see such brilliant talent, programmes and producers recognised for their work. We have more to do on diversity but change is happening and we will keep going."
Writer and presenter David Olusoga collected two prizes for BBC Two's The World's War: Forgotten Soldiers of Empire in the Writer/Director and Best On-Screen Talent categories. He says: "I’m absolutely delighted to win these awards for The World’s War. The series was a real team effort and the whole team pulled together to help make a series that set out to challenge our collective understanding of the First World War. We wanted to tell the stories of the soldiers and auxiliaries from distant lands who fought and served in the Europe and elsewhere. We've been overwhelmed by the positive reaction this series and their stories have received.”
The Holby City production and editorial team secured the Achievement in Production prize for its commitment to diversity both on and off screen. Currently 35 percent of its regular cast is BAME, 10 percent of episodes were penned by BAME writers and its editorial department includes 40 percent BAME employees. Holby City Executive Producer Oliver Kent says: “I'm incredibly proud that Holby City has won this award for our editorial and production team. Holby has become a top destination for diverse talent on and off screen and we hope to keep it that way.”
The Creative Diversity Network Ground-Breaking Programme award was won by BBC Three's Growing Up Down's, which followed The Blue Apple Theatre Company, all of whose members have learning difficulties. Made by Maverick and Dartmouth Film, the documentary was commissioned via the BBC Fresh strand [LINK].
Elliot Reed from BBC Three says: "Growing Up Down’s is BBC Three at its best. Jealousy, the search for true love, confronting one’s sexuality, facing fears, are all familiar rites of passages for any young adult. But first-time documentary maker Will Jessop’s BBC Fresh film captures it all through the eyes of four young actors with learning difficulties. Perfect story-telling with raw intimacy and honesty."
The BBC also led the way in the shortlist for the award, securing 11 nominations across the eight categories.
This award winning work is just part of the BBC’s commitment to represent every family and community in the UK, as well as being the first choice employer for people with creative ideas, whatever their background. Progress is being made on the actions announced earlier this year to improve the representation of BAME communities and disabled people on and off screen, while existing schemes like the BBC Academy’s Expert Women programme and our drive to bring apprentices from diverse backgrounds into the BBC are already delivering results.
The Creative Diversity Network Awards celebrate excellence around the diversity– on and off-screen – in British television production. The CDN brings together the UK television industry to promote, celebrate and share good practice around the diversity agenda. Current members of the CDN are BAFTA, BBC, Channel 4, Creative Skillset, PACT, ITN, ITV, Media Trust, S4C, Sky and Turner Broadcasting.
Note to Editors
A full list of awards and nominations can be found on the Creative Diversity Network website
