RTS Awards
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Film, TV, and Digital Production grads earn RTS Award Nominations
Friday, 6 February, 2026Two groups of BSU Film, TV, and Digital Production graduates have been nominated for the RTS Student Television Awards for their respective short films.
With a track record for nurturing the next generation of world class talent in video production, film making and television journalism, the RTS Student Television Awards provide an opportunity for students to have their ambition and creativity recognised by top media professionals.
These nominations not only recognise the hard work, creativity and ingenuity of BSU’s graduates, but create a platform for the nominated groups to market skills acquired at university to broadcasting industry professionals.
Cadi Williams, Alfie Topham, Patrick Causley, Liberty Webb, Keya Usman, Maddie Hanley, and Merle Powell-Smith have seen their spotlight documentary, Weird in the Womb, recognised in the ‘Factual Short Film' category.
Inspired by the personal experiences of Producer Sound Operator, Merle Powell-Smith, Weird in the Womb explores endometriosis, a common yet significantly under-researched condition that remains widely misunderstood.
After discovering the scale of the condition, the lack of available research, and the growing number of personal stories shared online, the filmmakers felt compelled to raise awareness.
The film offers an intimate insight into the lived experiences of people diagnosed with, or suspected of having, endometriosis. Featuring contributors at different stages of their diagnosis journeys, it features discussions with medical professionals, the long waits for answers, and the misconceptions that surround the condition.
Discussing the filmmaking process, Director, Cadi said:
“We came together as a group to share thoughts on what we wanted to include in the film. From the start we knew we wanted to present a ‘roundtable’ of women with different stories, sharing their experiences and having an informal, comfortable discussion with each other.”
Reflecting on what the nomination means to the team, Merle said:
“Raising awareness for women’s health, and specifically endometriosis, is extremely important to me. I feel passionate about spreading the word and pushing for medical, social and educational change surrounding female bodies, menstrual cycles and misunderstood conditions like endometriosis. It feels so rewarding to have our project recognised by such a prestigious organisation.”
Nominated in the Entertainment and Comedy Drama category, Nat Miller, Barnaby Lethaby, Nico Bentham, Michael Lindley, Miles McCarroll, and Heather Magain’s short film, License to Clown, is no stranger to award recognition, having previously received a nomination at the Graddies.
This innovative example of student comedy follows a clown stripped of his license to perform. Spiralling into despair, he opts to reinvent himself with a very different credential, a license to kill, but quickly finds he’s no cold-blooded hitman; bringing props and punchlines into a profession that demands anything but comedy.
Discussing Licence to Clown and its recognition from the RTS Awards, Director Barnaby Lethaby, said:
“It can be a tricky line to walk making student comedy, but everyone in our crew understood the goal and genre perfectly, from Heather’s costume and props to Michael’s hilarious use of foley and other sound effects.
“Having these prestigious names attached to our creative projects so early in our career, and as fresh graduates, will hopefully do wonders for us as we seek employment and other journeys in the sector we love.”
The RTS Student Television Awards will be announced on 24 March 2026, where students and graduates from across the country will come together to celebrate outstanding work – both of their own and their peers. You can find out more about the Awards and fellow nominees on the RTS website.
