Student talent ignites The Sparkies | The University of Sunderland

Published on 06 July 2023

For the first time since 2019, the University of Sunderland this week hosted The Sparkies awards – “the Sunderland Oscars”.

The awards are a celebration of student success and recognition of the efforts and achievements of undergraduates and postgraduates across the University’s media courses, featuring a range of categories, including audio, TV, film, post-production and sustainability.

University of Sunderland Radio MA graduates Emma Millen and Jordan Blyth hosted the red carpet event at the Fire Station in Sunderland.

Emma, who had a variety of roles at the University’s community radio station Spark, including presenting, producing and training volunteers, has presented for BBC Radio 1 and is currently a presenter on BBC Radio Newcastle and BBC Radio Tees.

Jordan, a former programme manager and presenter at Spark, also works at BBC Radio Tees as a presenter, reporter and producer having previously presented for Radio X.

Winners on the night were:

Best Audio Documentary – Peter Doherty, The Process

Best Audio Drama – Catherine Rimmer, Cláudia Sousa, Joseph Leak, Leila El Reedi and Jake Chappell, Mortician

Best Podcast – Chris Howard, Into the Industry

Best Live Television – NE Music

Best Animated Film – Christina Alexopolous and Liam Young, Life on Chalkos

Best Sound Design – Whitney Rogers, Amina

Best Visual Effects – Morgan Williams, The Cursed Stone

Best Editing – Mark Stiles, Thank You Final Fantasy VII

Best Scriptwriter – Kyra Sims, The Family Way

Best Cinematography – Jade Ruihao Wang, Sweet Escape

Best Director – Morgan Williams, Hold On and Let Go

Best Branded Content – Yousef Fouda, Team Sunderland

Best Factual – Mark Stiles, Thank You, Final Fantasy VII

Best Non-Factual – Owen Dutton, Pub Culture

Best Entertainment – Ben Drummond, Steven Patterson and Nathan Potts, Pocketchange Games

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Production Award – Bobbi Bunker, NorthernHers

The Sparkies took place during the University’s Summer Graduation Ceremonies, which will see thousands of students take to the stage at the Stadium of Light this week (Monday 10 July – Friday 14 July).