Graduates from the University of Gloucestershire — including SoGlos staff writer, Kaleigh Pritchard — have won a national award for their film about Hopewell Street in Gloucester.
Created as part of the university's NCTJ-accredited BA Journalism course, graduates Aoife Harkin and Zac Lewis produced a television package about Gloucester's 'Rainbow Street' during their end-of-course news week, which Pritchard oversaw as editor.
The pair created a feature about how the previously run-down street underwent a vibrant makeover thanks to local artist, Tash Frootko, turning it into one of the county's most colourful places to live. The judging panel said their storytelling was 'bright and engaging' and brought the characters of the street to life — with the film scooping the Derek Dowsett Award, which includes £1,000 in prize money. Harkin and Lewis were also given a placement at ITV news.
The overall news week show was also the runner-up in the BJTC Awards' TV News Day category.
BA Journalism academic course leader, Paul Wiltshire, said: 'We’re absolutely delighted about Aoife and Zac’s well-deserved success at the Broadcast Journalism Training Council’s annual awards.
'Their news feature about Hopewell Street is a testament to their hours of preparation and their high production values — it wouldn’t look out of place on a real TV network.
'We’re really proud of everyone involved in the team behind our end-of-course show and it’s fantastic that they were recognised in the TV News Day category.
'Our end-of-course show showcases many key elements of the programme and enables our students to put their learning into practice ahead of exciting and rewarding careers in the industry.'
