SWIPED, a short film for the BBC about a futuristic virtual dating app, has won emerging Coventry filmmaker Luke Collins a 2020 Royal Television Society Award.
Coventry-born Luke, a writer, director and producer who graduated from Coventry University in 2014, was announced the winner of their Best Breakthrough (Off Screen) category. The award is reserved for upcoming talent across the region who have made a significant impact to their field.
The multi-talented freelance artist wrote, directed and produced Swiped for BBC New Creatives starring Will Merrick, which has since gone viral and attracted critical acclaim, including the BBC Arts Best Of 2019 campaign. The film examines the modern dating conundrum in a provocative and disruptive manner, and has been compared to Charlie Brooker’s Netflix hit, Black Mirror.
You can watch it here:
Another of his scripted pieces, Cappuccino, about the life of a performer with a stammer, was commissioned last year by Channel 4’s Random Acts.
A spokesperson for the Royal Television Society said: “This is a real win for a local lad because it is judged by a panel of esteemed TV executives and commissioners from the biggest broadcasters. It sends the message loud and clear – Coventry has homegrown talent.
“It’s an incredibly positive message to send to other youngsters who feel like the doors of the industry are closed to them and goes a long way in keeping the faith at this time when so much of the industry has ground to a halt.”
