More than 30 emerging filmmakers from Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University and Belfast Met have been shortlisted for the 2026 Royal Television Society Northern Ireland (RTS NI) Student Television Awards, supported by Northern Ireland Screen. The winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted by UTV’s Emma Patterson at the Black Box, Belfast on Thursday 19 March 2026.
Madeline Whiteside, Chair of the RTS NI Student Awards, added: “These awards shine a spotlight on the next generation of content creators. Winning an RTS NI Student Award is a powerful career boost, and our winners go on to compete at the national RTS Student Awards in London. Last year Queen’s University Belfast student Philip Denvir took home the ‘Postgraduate Factual – Short Form’ Award at the prestigious national ceremony, highlighting the exceptional calibre of creative content being created in Northern Ireland’s colleges.”
Bernard McCloskey, Head of Exhibition at Northern Ireland Screen said: “Northern Ireland Screen is delighted to be able to support these awards in partnership with RTS NI. The screen industry in Northern Ireland is a key economic driver and to future proof the industry we must support and encourage a talent pipeline of skilled and experienced young people. The RTS NI awards provide the perfect opportunity to reflect on and reward local emerging creative talent who will drive the industry forward.”
UTV presenter Emma Patterson, host of RTS NI Student Awards Ceremony 2026 said: “It is a real privilege to host these awards and celebrate the exceptional work being produced by students across Northern Ireland. The RTS NI plays a huge role in championing emerging talent, and being recognised here offers students a fantastic platform as they take their first steps in the industry.”
UTV Producer Alison Fleming, who is an RTS NI Student Awards Judge said: “Celebrating the creativity, ambition and technical skill of Northern Ireland’s student filmmakers is a highlight of our year. The talent coming through our universities and colleges is exceptional. Their work shows a level of craft and commitment that bodes well for the future of our thriving screen industry. We can’t wait to honour the best of the best next month.”
The shortlisted programmes and nominated students for this year’s RTS NI Student Awards are:
DRAMA CATEGORY NOMINEES
· Uisce Beatha: Conleth Mallon, Tori McCoosh, Bethany Murray, Ronak Kapoor, Lauren Ayre and Adam Cunningham – Queen’s University Belfast.
· Dead Air: Jamie Lyons – Director; Luke Toal – Writer; Christopher Cairns – Producer;
Daniel Gardner – Director of Photography; Sean Devine – Production Design; Ben Byrne – Editor; and Jay McGregor – Sound Design & Original Score – Queen’s University Belfast.
· Blurred: Jude Carne – Writer/Director; Conor McCartney – Producer; Michael Magowan – 1st AD and Rachel McNally – Cinematographer – Belfast Met.
· Body of …: Terence Harvey-Kelly – Ulster University, Derry – Londonderry Campus
· Two of a Kind: Lucy James – Producer; Hannah Young – DoP; James Cuskeran – Writer and Conor Brannigan – Director – Queens University Belfast.
ACTUAL SHORT FORM CATEGORY NOMINEES
· Perfect Match: Matthew Martin, Ella O’Neill, Jude Campbell, Ava Kelly and Aimee Crossey – Queens University Belfast.
· A Breath of Fresh Air: Arwen Fegan – Co-director and Matthew Wilson – Co-director – Queens University Belfast.
· Belfast 60 past 60’s: Andrew Atkinson, Jude Campbell and Max McDonnell – Queens University Belfast.
All finalists are also eligible for the four RTS NI Student Craft Awards which will be presented on the night for Camera, Writing, Production and Sound. The winners of these awards go forward to the national RTS Student Media Awards in London in June which recognises the best audiovisual work created by students at undergraduate and postgraduate level across 24 competitive categories.