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Royal Television Society shortlists ARU student film

Ghostly music video, produced in Cambridge, is in the running for national award

A supernatural music video produced by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) students has been shortlisted by the Royal Television Society for the national RTS Student Television Awards 2024.

Directed, written and produced by Guilherme Pires (pictured), Why Don't You Stay For Tonight has been nominated in the Postgraduate Entertainment and Comedy Drama category, alongside two films produced by students from the National Film and Television School.

Guilherme moved to Cambridge from Portugal in 2020 to study ARU’s BA (Hons) Film and Television Production course, and is now taking the Master’s in Film and Television Production.

He said:

“Why Don't You Stay For Tonight is a music video where the ghosts suffered in life, but now in death they party all night, and we’ve flipped the style halfway through from a typical ghost story aesthetic to a more retro-futuristic approach. 

“The film came to life thanks to an incredibly passionate crew and it grew far beyond my original expectations, but special thanks goes to Yegor Chmilewsky – the director of photography, VFX supervisor, co-editor and composer of the music – whose help has been invaluable throughout the project.”

Dr Catherine Elliott, Course Leader for the MA Film and Television Production at ARU, said:

“Guilherme Pires, Yegor Chmilewsky and Christopher Buckenham were all part of the production team that won a Royal Television Society East of England award earlier this year for Eternity’s Grace and we’re delighted their skills are now receiving wider attention at the RTS national awards for Why Don't You Stay For Tonight, which is an exceptional piece of filmmaking.”

Sinead Rocks, Channel 4 Managing Director for Nations & Regions, and the Chair of the RTS Student Television Awards, said:

“The RTS Student Television Awards have a proven track record in discovering and nurturing the next generation of world class talent in video production, film making and television journalism. 

“They provide a fantastic opportunity to have your ambition and creativity recognised and celebrated by top media professionals and crucially, for you to sell your skills to people at the very top of the broadcasting industry. Put simply, winning an RTS Student TV Award is a real badge of honour on any CV and one that is taken incredibly seriously by professionals.”

The RTS Student Television Awards 2024 are sponsored by 4Skills, Channel 4’s nationwide training and development strategy, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony at the IET, Savoy Place, London on Friday, 21 June.