‘Original, weird, brilliant and full of heart’
Rumpus Media for BBC3
Blending elements of scripted comedy with real-life moments, Zen School of Motoring combines dash-cam footage drama with YouTube rap battles, pigeon perspective and meditation. “Original, weird, brilliant and full of heart,” said one judge, while another described it as “pushing the format and super imaginative”.
The show offers viewers a fusion of the everyday and the impossible, from Benjamin Zephaniah running a rap-battle cult in a forest to robot delivery trucks becoming self-aware and a funeral for a Vauxhall Corsa. The programme also prides itself on its kindness, reframing trips through urban traffic that can be the cause of stress and confrontation to journeys of self-discovery, reflection and generosity.
“Compelling in its simplicity, but more than that, it is the perfect, kind and gentle antidote to an angry and often hostile world,” said one judge. “Should be compulsory viewing for all angry drivers.”
Born on YouTube as simple dash-cam footage, the short-form series was shepherded and expanded for the BBC by a devoted team.
SHORTLISTED
East Mode with Nigel Ng
VIS UK for Comedy Central YouTube
Nigel Ng and his co-creator Evelyn Mok gathered a group of East Asian and South-East Asian comedy talent to cast a unique and hilarious eye over the modern world through the lens of the ESEA diaspora. This cocktail has proven a hit with audiences: three months on from its launch in February, the show has racked up more than 8.6 million views, with an average watch time of two minutes.
Please Help
Tiger Aspect Productions for BBC
Writer and star Lucy Pearman dives into her own experience caring for her grandmother to tell the story of Milly, a young woman who is balancing her role as her nan’s carer with running a remote farm in rural Oxfordshire. To add to her burden, Milly has also started developing magic powers. The resourceful team managed to whip magic out of thin air on a shoestring budget and many crew members stepped into senior positions for the first time.
Skinny Fat
A Mathew David/BBC Wales/Ffilm Cymru Wales Production for Ffolio for BBC
Skinny Fat tells the tale of a gay man who confronts his belly fat in a shop changing room, triggering him to relive an abusive past relationship. This provoking short aims to enlighten its audience about the complexity of issues with which members of the LGBT+ community can struggle.
The Break: Oh Toni
BBC Studios & BBC Writersroom for BBC
BBC3’s series of short-form monologue dramas and comedies returns for its fifth outing with all episodes authored by disabled writers. In Oh Toni, the eponymous character is a sweet, clumsy and queer girl who wants to ask the girl of her dreams to the Year 11 prom, without accidentally killing her.
The Break: Rude
BBC Studios & BBC Writersroom for BBC
In Rude, partially sighted May struggles with the dilemma of being seen as either rude or disabled as she tries and fails not to offend her first university friend. Written by Annalissa D’Innella, this short offers the audience an insight into being partially sighted and navigating university, friends and relationships when you want to live your life without being labelled.
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