Talented duo receive national recognition

Two award-winning graduates are in the running for national prizes after having their work shortlisted among the best in the UK.

Teesside University graduates Domareen Fox and Jing Zhao are both finalists in the Royal Television Society Student Television Awards 2016.

The awards are judged in six categories and are designed to celebrate the best in student television across the UK.

Teesside is the only university in the North East to be represented in the final shortlisting and one of only a handful of universities to be up for two awards.

Both Domareen and Jing scooped prizes at the Royal Television Society’s Regional Awards earlier this year. They have now gone on to be selected for the national awards which will be announced on 3 June. Their work will also be available to view on Sky Arts’ on demand service following the awards.

Domareen, who studied BA (Hons) Computer Character Animation, is shortlisted in the Undergraduate Animation category for her film Dresslocked.

Produced as part of her degree, Dresslocked is a three minute 2D animation exploring body dysmorphic disorder through the struggles of a young woman who can’t decide what to wear in the morning.

Domareen, who graduated last year, is now working as an Art Director for Studio Soi, an animation studio based near Stuttgart in Germany, which has produced the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo’s Child animations.

Jing, who studied BA (Hons) Television and Film Production, is shortlisted in the Undergraduate Factual category for her film Eat, then Wait for the Night. Filmed on location in China and set against the backdrop of Chinese New Year, the film explores loneliness and the importance of family in China, examining the themes of loneliness, loss, family and connections between people.

Since graduating from Teesside University, Jing has worked as a Producer for China International Communication Centre and a Researcher at Meridian Line Films.

Jill Morgan, Dean of the School of Arts & Media at Teesside University, said: 'It is fantastic to have not one, but two of our graduates shortlisted for such prestigious national awards.

'The films they produced here at Teesside University are exceptional and deserve to be recognised alongside the best student work in the country.'

Dr Simon Stobart, Dean of the University’s School of Computing, added: 'Domareen’s work was of the highest quality when she was here at Teesside and it is no surprise to see her doing so well. I would like to offer my congratulations to both our finalists and wish them the best of luck – not only with the awards – but in their future careers.'

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