The winners of the Royal Television Society Northern Ireland (RTS NI) Student Awards 2026 were announced last night (Thursday 19 March) at the Black Box Belfast by host UTV presenter Emma Patterson with the keynote speech delivered by BAFTA award winning screenwriter Declan Lawn.
Queens University Belfast won an impressive three trophies, picking up the RTS NI Student Award for Drama for Uisce Beatha and Short Form Factual Award for Perfect Match, plus the Craft Writer Award went to Luke Toal for his film Dead Air .
Belfast Met students Jude Carne, Writer/Director; Conor McCartney; Producer; Michael Magowan 1st AD and Rachel McNally, Cinematographer. picked up the RTS NI Craft - Production Award for Blurred. The RTS NI Craft Award - Camera went to Terence Harvey-Kelly from Ulster University, Derry – Londonderry Campus for his film Body Of….
Maeve McLoughlin, newly elected Chair of the RTS NI Committee said: “This year’s RTS NI Student Television Awards winners once again showcase the remarkable depth of talent powering Northern Ireland’s creative industries. At a time when our screen sector is earning international acclaim and driving world‑class productions, these emerging storytellers are proving they’re ready to shape the next chapter in our industry. We’re proud to celebrate their achievements and wish all our Northern Ireland winners every success as they head to the RTS National Student Awards in London this June.”
Madeline Whiteside, Chair of the RTS NI Student Awards, added: “The RTS NI plays a vital role in championing the next generation of content creators, and winning one of these awards gives local students a prestigious springboard as they launch their careers. Our third‑level colleges continue to deliver exceptional training producing world class talent feeding directly into Northern Ireland’s fast growing screen sector. This year’s winners and finalists are proof of the world‑class training and ambition thriving across Northern Ireland. I congratulate all our winners and finalists — the standard of work this year was nothing short of outstanding. The passion and ambition shown by our students is inspiring.”
Bernard McCloskey, Head of Exhibition at Northern Ireland Screen said: “Northern Ireland Screen is delighted to support these student awards in partnership with RTS NI. They play a crucial role in nurturing and encouraging the emerging creative talent that continues to strengthen our vibrant screen industries. Congratulations to all tonight’s winners and those who made the shortlist. These talented young creatives are already proving that they’re ready to hit the ground running when they graduate.”
Keynote speaker, Blue Lights Executive Producer and Writer Declan Lawn said: “It’s a real privilege to meet the next generation of emerging creatives, especially when their winning films already show the kind of talent that makes Northern Ireland such a special place for storytelling."
The winners are:
DRAMA AWARD
· Winner: Uisce Beatha: Conleth Ó Mealláin, Tori McCoosh, Bethany Murray, Ronak Kapoor, Lauren Ayre and Adam Cunningham – Queen’s University Belfast.,
· Highly Commended – Two of a Kind: Lucy James - Producer; Hannah Young - DoP; James Cuskeran - Writer and Conor Brannigan – Director; Sam Holt: Sound design & original score and Thomas Carson: Editing - Queens University Belfast.
FACTUAL SHORT FORM AWARD
· Winner: Perfect Match: Matthew Martin, Ella O’Neill, Jude Campbell, Ava Kelly and Aimee Crossey – Queens University Belfast.
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· Highly Commended - A Breath of Fresh Air: Arwen Fegan - Co-director and Matthew Wilson - Co-director – Queens University Belfast.
CRAFT AWARD – WRITER
· Winner: Luke Toal, writer of Dead Air - Queen’s University Belfast.
CRAFT AWARD – PRODUCTION
· Winner: Blurred: Jude Carne - Writer/Director; Conor McCartney - Producer; Michael Magowan - 1st AD; Rachel McNally - Cinematographer; Kim Rowley Carroll - Production & amp and Costume Designer; Joel McDade -Gaffer, and Fearghal McCarney - Sound Mixer – Belfast Met
CRAFT AWARD – CAMERA
· Winner: Terence Harvey-Kelly for Body Of…. - Ulster University, Derry – Londonderry Campus
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.
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