The PGGB announces its six 2024 winners

The Production Guild of Great Britain (PGGB) celebrate the talent, contribution and achievements of its esteemed members working in UK film and HETV drama, at a glittering awards ceremony hosted by comedian, presenter and actor Patrick Kielty this evening (Saturday 14th September) at The Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire.

Lyndsay Duthie, CEO of PGGB paid tribute to the winners saying, “Our PGGB members are best in class.  This wealth of below-the-line talent is the bedrock of our film and television industry and it’s their hard work and skill that creates the first class reputation the UK has garnered.  Our 2024 awards are also an opportunity to acknowledge the incredible contribution producer David Heyman has made and we celebrate him with our Contribution to the Industry accolade.”

Bianca Gavin, PGGB Chair added: “Our PGGB Awards are a celebration of the tremendous and inspiring achievements of our membership and those who are the backbone of the UK film and television industry. As Chair, I am proud to highlight these contributions: our industry is built on collaboration, and we all benefit from the exceptional work of these individuals.”

Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden are headline sponsors of the awards and commenting, Emily Stillman, Senior Vice President WBSL said: “We are delighted to continue our support of The Production Guild of Great Britain and its biennial Awards.  As we continue to see the UK remaining the first choice for so many filmmakers, it’s important to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the talented individuals in production, post-production and accounts for their contributions in bringing some of the best film and TV shows to life on our screens.”

 Accepting the Contribution to the Industry award, David Heyman said: “I am grateful and honoured to be receiving the Contribution to the Industry award.   To receive it from the PGGB is all the more meaningful, because it does such incredible work for building community, for our industry generally and for freelancers who are the life blood of our business.

“I really believe that here in the UK, we have the best of the best.   We have incredible actors, directors, writers, people in production, locations, visual effects, finance and we have the world’s best crews in general.   Each department is integral to making any film successful and I would not be receiving this award without the help and support of all the remarkable and inspiring people behind the camera who I have had the good fortune to work with.  

“This has been a really challenging period for the film and television industries in the UK—we’ve had COVID, we’ve had the strikes and the economy in general has been struggling, to put it mildly. But I feel we’re turning the corner.   In the next year, I think more productions will start up, more productions will come to the UK, because it’s the best place in the world to make films and TV shows. That said, we have to continue to nurture the next generation of people coming into the industry. We need education, schools and training programmes and we need those already working in the industry to support, train, mentor and ultimately employ young people. It is also vital that our sets are more diverse and reflect the society we live in. If we can do that, the future will truly be bright.” 

In the winner’s tributes, congratulating producer David Heyman on receiving Contribution to the Industry, actress and producer Margot Robbie and her producer husband Tom Ackerley who have collaborated with Heyman said:

  “Congratulations on this incredible honour. Never has an award been so applicable. Your contribution to this industry is vast and undeniable” (Tom). 

“Even if you lived under a rock and hated movies, I guarantee you have seen a David Heyman produced film.  David, your impeccable taste, your work ethic and your unwavering faith in filmmakers is unparallelled and when we ask ourselves what kind of producers we want to be, you have always been our shining example.” (Margot) 

“Watching you, learning from you, working alongside you on Barbie, was the greatest privilege of our producing careers” (Tom) 

“So, to our partner, our mentor and most importantly, our friend…” (Margot) “Congratulations!” (Tom and Margot).

 –

The Six Awards are: 

The Production Guild of Great Britain Production Team of the Year – Film Award 2024
Sponsored by Panavision

Winner: “Wonka”  

The PGGB Film Production Team of the Year Award sponsored by Panavision is presented to the production team behind feel-good movie of 2023, the exquisite musical Wonka (Warner Bros / Village Roadshow Pictures / Roald Dahl Story Company).   

PGGB members Alex Derbyshire (Producer), Tim Wellspring (Executive Producer/UPM) and Adam Hughes (Production Manager) will collect the award on behalf of a largely UK team which included 16 PGGB members, whose passion to deliver an exceptional project was evident. 

The senior leadership created real cohesion to ensure that junior team members were able to develop their skills and increase their knowledge, fostering an outstanding team spirit. Beyond the sheer logistics of delivering a large-scale feature film on time and on budget when Covid19 was still dogging productions, they demonstrated resilience and inclusivity on all levels, ensuring that all members of the team felt valued and committed.  

Sustainability was a priority, with a strong focus on tightly controlling waste and emissions to minimise the carbon footprint of the production and ensuring that assets were recycled and repurposed when the film wrapped. 

On screen, the world of Wonka is beautifully designed and crafted and the technical achievements in camera and in post are clear and a credit to all who worked on it.  

 PGGB Members recognised: 

Alexandra Ferguson Derbyshire – Producer 

Tim Wellspring – Executive Producer/UPM 

Adam Hughes – Production Manager 

Emma Mallett – Production Manager (Additional Photography) 

Oliver Crawford – Assistant Location Manager  

Gemma Todd (Smithers) – Post Production Accountant  

Cristina Zanoletti – AP Supervisor 

Kirsty Lea – Payroll Supervisor  

Owen Keys – 1st Assistant Accountant  

Andrew Durbin – Assistant Payroll Accountant 

Karen Bicknell – Post 1st Assistant Accountant  

Tom Ormerod – Production Coordinator  

Liam Shorrock – Assistant Production Coordinator 

 Panavision, sponsors of the award said: “Congratulations to the entire production team on your achievement with Wonka! Your exceptional teamwork, communication, and dedication have truly showcased the brilliance of the UK film industry. This award is a testament to your hard work and collaborative spirit. Well done from the whole Panavision team”

The Production Guild of Great Britain Production Team of the Year – HETV Award 2024
Sponsored by Netflix

Winner: “Supacell” 

The PGGB High-End TV Production Team of the Year Award sponsored by Netflix is presented to the production team behind Season 1 of Supacell, an innovative superhero story created, written and directed by rapper and first-time TV director Rapman.    Taking audiences by storm, achieving a top 10 placing on Netflix, Supacell stars Tosin Cole, Nadine Mills, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Calvin Demba and Josh Tedeku as the five superheroes pursued by Eddie Marsan and his organisation.     

Shot in London, Supacell’s strong emphasis on recruiting diverse, local talent is a credit to its production.   Delivering unique opportunities to cast and crew members who might not otherwise have had the chance to work on a production of this scale, all were guided by a production team whose expertise and willingness to share and help overcome challenges was essential to the project’s success. 

PGGB members Nessa King (Financial Controller), Cecily Colahan (Production Manager), Artur Surma (Netflix VFX Finance Consultant Post Production), and Marjan Zolghadr (Payroll Accountant), alongside the wider production team are honoured for helping deliver a superhero TV show without a superhero budget.  

Netflix, sponsors of the award said: “We’re delighted to support the PGGB awards which recognises the very best production talent in the UK.”

The Production Guild of Great Britain Inspiration Award 2024
Sponsored by: BCD Media & Entertainment and Virgin Atlantic Delta Air Lines

Winner: Georgette Turner 

A tireless operator, Georgette Turner delivers incredible results for productions and crews across the industry in her key roles as a Unit Production Manager and Supervising Location Manager, and most recently as a Line Producer. Her credits include Wonder Woman, The Little Mermaid, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, The Boys in the Boat, Edge of Tomorrow and Austin, as well as countless other productions. 

Georgette is a role model working on the frontline of the industry, inspiring and influencing crew as they move up through the ranks.   Her Location Bootcamps ensure the next generation of location managers are equipped to progress. 

Always approachable, always making time to talk to others, she was an invaluable source of information for many colleagues during the pandemic, so much so that she became termed ‘the Covid Queen’.  

Georgette is passionate about addressing the diversity and inclusion challenges in the industry both at the junior level and for people entering the industry from other careers or returning to work after a break. As a young mother, she demonstrates more energy and time than several people put together.  She inspires others in senior positions to support new, upcoming talent, and to ensure they foster a well-trained and trusted workforce to help the industry thrive.  

A committed advocate for sustainability, she has developed innovative products, services and systems to help achieve a more sustainable industry, from delivering market-leading solar-powered facilities to providing a second life for props and costumes. Her creative approach has delivered solutions across the industry. 

Georgette is a force of nature, celebrated not only for her professional abilities but her generosity, creativity and her enduring impact on the industry. 

Sponsors BCD Media & Entertainment, Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines are “Thrilled to champion the Production Guild of Great Britain Awards 2024.

Our joint partnerships have been critical to our continued success. We are extremely proud to be a partner!” 

The Production Guild of Great Britain Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award 2024
Sponsored by EON Productions

Winner: Valeria Bullo 

PGGB Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award sponsored by EON Productions is presented to Valeria Bullo for her tireless work in making the industry a kinder, more inclusive and healthier place for everyone. Her commitment to mental health support, to peer support, and to tackling industry stigma has been transformative and unfaltering, whether in-house or in a consultancy role. 

Back in 2019, she launched her Cinemama’s initiative, a female-led community for mothers working in the screen industries. Since then, it has provided invaluable connections for working parents, helping them to access advice, support and practical solutions, and to ensure that more talent remains in the industry. 

Among her other achievements, Valeria developed and implemented the Whole Picture toolkit for the Film & TV Charity, co-designing it with the industry through a working group, focus groups and many interviews with freelancers – all of which she ran. It’s a resource which has been adopted by over 100 productions now, and which provides essential information, guidance and acknowledgement of a range of issues and concerns which might affect crew through an evidence-based mixture of guides and templates, all designed to make productions healthier, fairer and more inclusive. It has been a game-changer for the industry, and she continues to ensure that its benefits are extended to even more productions. 

Valeria has long been a staunch and committed campaigner in a very difficult sector. She is a pioneer in our industry who is making a genuine difference to the health and wellbeing of its talent, and we are delighted to recognise her achievements with this award.  

Andrew Noakes of EON Productions who are sponsors of the award said: “Sponsoring the PGGB Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award is a wonderful way to support and celebrate the progress being made in the production industry. It’s inspiring to see the industry taking significant steps towards inclusivity and prioritising the wellbeing of the workforce.”

The Production Guild of Great Britain Spotlight on New Talent Award 2024
Sponsored by MBS Equipment Co

Winner: Marc Ronnie 

The PGGB Spotlight on New Talent Award sponsored by MBS Equipment Co. is presented to Marc Ronnie for the diligence and enthusiasm he has shown in his roles in both the Production and Accounting departments.  

A member of PGGB since 2019 when he was accepted on to the APATS course, Marc has thrown himself into work, and has accumulated some impressive credits including The Sandman (2020-21), When Paddington Met the Queen (2022) and The Acolyte (2022-23), working his way up to Payroll Supervisor on his most recent production, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2024). 

Along the way, he has assisted Action Props on a Wes Anderson project where his involvement was essential in steadying the ship and giving him a unique insight into production beyond the spreadsheet.  

Marc has demonstrated that he is keen to make a difference in the industry, by supporting and encouraging colleagues in furthering their careers, and is committed to his own continued development. He’s the ultimate team player and an asset to any production. 

Special Mention: Sarah Boyks 

A Special Mention in this category goes to Sarah Boyks for demonstrating her commitment to her own personal development in the industry as she worked her way up from a Covid department to the production dept. Credits: Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story – 2nd Unit Production Coordinator, Stampede Ventures (2022)

Darren Smith, CEO Europe & APAC for The MBS Group said “MBS Equipment Co is delighted to be, once again, sponsoring The Production Guild of Great Britain Spotlight on New Talent Award. We’re delighted to be a part of this celebration of UK Production and are particularly proud to have this opportunity to acknowledge the valuable contribution made by the Guild’s newer members and future stars.”

The PGGB Contribution to the Industry Award 2024
Sponsored by Universal Production Services Set Lighting and Rigging

Winner: David Heyman 

Acclaimed UK producer David Heyman of Heyday Films, whose glittering credits include the Harry Potter franchise and more recently Wonka, Barbie and the Paddington movies has built a global reputation for excellence and that track record prompted the PGGB jury to name him recipient of the PGGB Contribution to Industry award for 2024.

Icon is an overused word, but David’s work is full of icons, it brings them to life, puts a new spin on them. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood used screen icons Brad Pitt and Leonardo di Caprio, and Quentin Tarantino himself to create a work that’s about icons and film legacy. Paddington and Wonka are icons revived and Barbie the iconic doll now turned into a freshly iconic, record-breaking movie. 

As these blockbusters attest, David Heyman has a suave ability to spot a hit movie and, more crucially, to find its heart. With an indie spirit but a limitless eye for potential, David has made the job of the British film producer a proud, smart and creative one. 

 He has brought the world to our shores – from Brighton to Kings Cross, Leavesden to Alnwick. He’s given actors and directors their career kick-starts and leg-ups, spawned plays and spin-offs and helped kids and adults discover reading and movies, and inspired legions of special effects wizards and craft practitioners to get better and better. He’s helped the British film industry become the envy of the film world. 

What’s amazing, heartening and gratifying, is that so much of David’s work has been anchored here in the UK, where his demands and ambitions have inspired new levels of achievement in SFX departments and studio facilities, inspiring generations of new producers and even gently changing film promotion and how we do premieres. Quite simply and quietly, he raises everyone’s game.  

We thank and honour David Heyman for all the business he’s spawned, the standards he’s raised, the production values he’s instilled and insisted on, and the talents he’s encouraged and nurtured  – but mainly, the acknowledgement and the award is for giving us and millions of others what it’s all really about and what we all really want, : so many wonderful hours of magic at the movies. 

Rob Garvie, Director of Universal Production Services who sponsor the award said: “We are so proud to sponsor this year’s Contribution to the Industry Award and celebrate all the honorees and members.”