RTS North East and Borders

Long-running CBBC drama The Dumping Ground won the prestigious Centre Award for its contribution to jobs and opportunities in the region’s screen sector at the RTS North East and the Border Awards in late February.

The children’s show, which made its debut in 2013 and is made by BBC Studios Kids & Family, is set in a care home and has been filmed across the North East. The series is a continuation of the CBBC drama Tracy Beaker Returns, which was based on the novels of Jacqueline Wilson.

A new film exploring the life of the eccentric Sunderland artist Audrey Amiss was given a special screening in her home city as part of a day exploring breaking down barriers to careers in the creative sector.

The film’s title Typist Artist Pirate King refers to the occupation Amiss (played by Monica Dolan) wrote on her passport. Written and directed by Carol Morley, the narrative imagines a road trip to Sunderland with the artist’s psychiatric support nurse (Kelly Macdonald) as chauffeur.