BFDG announces Production Design Awards winners & announces new sustainability award

The British Film Designers Guild (BFDG) has announced the winners of its 2021 Production Design Awards, which were hosted last night by film critic and broadcaster Mark Kermode in the Ballroom of newly opened super boutique hotel The Londoner in Leicester Square.

Marking its 75^th anniversary with a physical awards ceremony for the first time in two years, the BFDG’s awards celebrate the professionalism, creativity and skill of the Art Department in the fields of film, TV and commercials. 

Women led the way in the Production Design categories with 6 out of the 9 awards going to female production designers. In the relatively new Short Film category all of the nominated production designers were women, with the award going to  Lili Lea Abraham and Flora Kakas for their film Catch a Butcher.

A new Sustainability award for 2022 sponsored by albert was announced at the ceremony by Katy Tallon albert’s industry sustainability manager. The award will be given for the first time next year (2023) and focus on sustainable methods of working in the Art Department.

Tallon said: “​​albert is delighted to be working with the British Film Designers Guild on a sustainability focused award for production design. There’s already some incredible innovation happening in this department and through this award, we look forward to inspiring and celebrating the very best sustainability advances taking place. “

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The full list of winners are:

PETER LAMONT AWARD – SPOTLIGHTING NEW TALENT (Supported by Netflix)

Fran Tesei – Junior Model Maker

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – COMMERCIAL

Gucci “Aria“– PD: Jeremy Reed 

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – SHORT FILM

Catch a Butcher – PD:Lili Lea Abraham AD: Flora Kakas SD: Lili Lea Abraham

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT TV PROGRAMME                        

Sex Education: Series 3 – PD: Samantha Harley, SAD: Samantha Jay Cliff, SD: Alexandra Slade & Elizabeth Marcussen        

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – INDEPENDENT TV DRAMA INCLUDING MINI SERIES, TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES (Supported by BEN)

A Very British Scandal: The Duchess of Argyll – PD: Christina Moore, SAD: Iain White, SD: Philippa Hart

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – INTERNATIONAL TV DRAMA INCLUDING MINI SERIES, TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES (Supported by BEN)

The Nevers – PD: Gemma Jackson, SAD: Peter Russell, SD: Tina Jones

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – INDEPENDENT FEATURE FILM – PERIOD                         

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain – PD: Suzie Davies, SAD: Caroline Barclay, SD: Charlotte Dirickx

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – INDEPENDENT FEATURE FILM – CONTEMPORARY                                

The Father – PD: Peter Francis, SAD: Astrid Sieben, SAD: Cathy Featherstone

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – INTERNATIONAL STUDIO FEATURE FILM – PERIOD

Cruella – PD: Fiona Crombie, SAD: Martin Foley, SD: Alice Felton

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – INTERNATIONAL STUDIO FEATURE FILM – CONTEMPORARY

Last Night in Soho – PD:Marcus Rowland, SAD: Tim Blake, SD: Jude Farr

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – INTERNATIONAL STUDIO FEATURE FILM – FANTASY

Dune – PD: Patrice Vermette, SAD: Tom Brown

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE ART DEPT (Supported by Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden)

Dominic Lavery – Concept Artist

Dorrie Young – Draughtsperson

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Peter Russell – Supervising Art Director

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All winning films, TV productions and commercials were released in the UK between 1st January 2021 and midnight 31st December 2021(based on data from IMDB and UK general release dates, either theatrical or streamed/on-demand broadcast, including festival screenings).

The BFDG was established back in 1946 and now boasts over 600 members of talented designers and technicians whose diverse range of skills and experience spans all budgets and genres from international blockbusters to independent features, shorts, pilots, TV drama and light entertainment and commercials.

Sonja Klaus, BFDG chairperson and production designer said: “We are thrilled to have hosted an in person awards celebration in our 75th anniversary year. Despite the challenges faced, the British Film & TV Industry has continued to deliver exceptional work and we are extremely proud of our members’ achievements.

It is fantastic to see an increasingly high proportion of women nominated across the board, from a diverse range of backgrounds. The Guild has been striving to increase the breadth of our membership body and seeing this represented in our winners this year is truly encouraging. We are also delighted to be working with albert in developing our Sustainability Award for next year’s awards.”

The Guild is delighted to have the continued support of our long-time sponsors, and we are truly grateful for their commitment to the Art Department. It has also been wonderful to welcome a number of new sponsors into our membership this year, reflecting just how important the role of the Art Department is to the continuing brilliance of the British Film & TV Industry.