Fifteen Women Honored at U.K.’s Women In Film And TV Awards

LONDON – The face of the BBC London 2012 Olympic Games coverage Clare Balding, filmmaker Lynne Ramsay and movie and TGV actress Olivia Colman are among the top names honored during this year’s Women in Film and TV Awards.

The trio were among 15 women from the film and TV sectors honored at the 22^nd annual WFTV awards in the British capital, this year sponsored by U.K. satellite broadcaster Sky.

Hosted by comedian and presenter Sue Perkins, fresh from her glitzy duties as host of the London Film Festival awards in October, the usually raucous annual celebration of all things female in the sector, also honored veteran producer Ruth Caleb with a lifetime achievement award.

Film, TV and stage star Julie Walters was on hand to dish out Caleb’s award at the lunchtime event held at the London Hilton, Park Lane Friday.

Balding picked up the ITV Studios achievement of the year award for her presenting duties during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games over the Summer.

This year’s Olympics was the most watched TV event in U.K. broadcasting history.

Tracey Seaward, who produced the Olympic Games opening ceremony was presented the ENVY producer award by director Danny Boyle while BBC director of sport Barbara Slater picked up the Creative Skillset inspirational woman award for overseeing coverage of the London Olympics and her on-going work promoting women’s sport.

Two movie directors were celebrated – with Ramsay given the Deluxe Digital London director award for We Need to Talk About Kevin, based on Lionel Shriver’s novel which unspooled during this year’s Festival de Cannes.

Up-coming talent, writer/director Sally El Hosaini, picked up the FremantleMedia U.K. new talent award, fresh from winning the best British newcomer award at the London Film Festival in October, for My Brother the Devil.

WFTV CEO Kate Kinninmont said: “I’m particularly pleased that we have two exceptional film directors, Lynne Ramsay and Sally El Hosaini, amongst our winners this year. There’s still a significant gender disparity when it comes to feature film directors but the talent of Lynne and Sally, irrespective of their gender, is undeniable and I’m proud that our Awards are recognizing that.”

Colman took home the MAC best performance award in recognition of her performances across both film and TV over the last year.

Colman’s noteworthy turns included dramas Accused and The Iron Lady and Olympic TV comedy satire Twenty Twelve.

Other winners included producer and founder of Red Production Company Nicola Shindler, writer Heidi Thomas, BBC’s Jana Bennett, and joint managing directors of The Farm, Nicky Sargent and Vikki Dunn.

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