Yeovil film company GRACE Productions impress judges at Broadcast Awards 2012

By jashby1 | Monday, February 06, 2012, 17:21

A Documentary film made by a Yeovil based film production company caught the eye of the judges at this year's Broadcast Awards, held on February 2nd.

My Brother the Islamist is made by Robb Leech - an ordinary white middle-class boy from Weymouth. So too, is his step-brother, Rich. Then Rich becomes an Islamist; a Muslim with extremist views.
My Brother the Islamist was pipped to the top award by the BBC Panorame team with their hard-hitting 'Undercover Care: The Abuse Exposed'. The ramifications from this shocking documentary are still being felt today.
GRACE Productions work out of the Yeovil Innovation Centre.

Insightful and thought provoking documentary My Brother the Islamist was Highly Commended by judges at the award ceremony, and the team at GRACE Productions (based at the Yeovil Innovation Centre) is delighted with the recognition.

One judge commented: "I was sucked into its freshness, honesty and originality. It had strong appeal for a young audience but I couldn't switch it off."

The documentary narrowly missed out on scooping the top prize, which was eventually won by the BBC Panorama team for their hard-hitting and shocking Undercover Care: The Abuse Exposed which poured light on the appalling behavior of staff at a Bristol care home.

The documentary has sent shockwaves around the nation and had judges noting its "profound and far-reaching" effect.

Judges awarded just 3 Highly Commended awards during the entire evening, and Ray Tostevin, Producer of My Brother the Islamist said: "It's thrilling to have our programme recognised alongside some of the best British television programmes screened over the past year.

"Naturally, we're all absolutely delighted, and so pleased for Robb Leech (formerly a tree surgeon from Weymouth) who directed the film, as it's a further demonstration of the impact the film's had since it was first broadcast on BBC Three, last Spring."

The film is currently shortlisted in the Best Documentary category at the Royal Television Society (West of England) Awards on 16 February.

Ray adds: "On a local note, it's fantastic to think that our film was produced and edited from our suite at Yeovil Innovation Centre.

"Staff have been very supportive of our work and continue to be a source of encouragement and help during exciting but economically challenging times."

Congratulations to all the team at GRACE Productions for their success, and best of luck for the future.