‘The style and script were beautifully distinctive’
This “well-crafted” and “truly fresh and distinctive” short-form title was a stand-out in a competitive category.
Peaked aims – and succeeds (in the minds of our judges) – to capture the uncanny, heightened sense of everyday life in rural Derbyshire, notably not a common environment shown on the small screen.
The series follows two young women attempting to create their own fun, delivered in a unique and innovative way – evidence of first-time writers Ada Player (who also stars) and Bron Waugh’s creativity and imagination. Up-and-coming comedians help drive this short, with Player supported by performances from Ele McKenzie and Freddie Meredith.
“The atmosphere and depth of character Peaked was able to produce within such a short space of time was really impressive,” one judge observes. “The style and script were beautifully distinctive.”
Another hails the “great performances throughout” in their summation, and notes “the writing was sharp, with excellent comedic timing and pacing”.
“A wonderful innocence and what stand out stars and a new comedy duo,” they conclude.
“It built the world of the characters really quickly and clearly and stayed with me long after watching,” their peer adds.
SHORTLISTED
Break Clause
BBC Studios Comedy Productions for Channel 4 Comedy YouTube
With society, particularly younger citizens, having to navigate soaring living costs and uncertain futures, audiences yearn for the warmth, hilarity, and alluring promise of romantic comedy. Through the endearing relationship of Lil and Ben, Break Clause explores the true cost of loving in a cost-of-living crisis.
Dating Horror Stories
Mother’s Best Child for Comedy Central UK YouTube
Comedian Kyrah Gray’s series offers up a bold, culturally resonant exploration of modern dating that attempts to amplify underrepresented voices while redefining what short-form content can achieve. Through each episode, the series tackles societal expectations while challenging outdated beauty standards and scrutinises the complexities of modern relationships.
Stepping Up
Roughcut TV for Channel 4
Driven by the creative imagination and comic skill of Josh Pugh, Stepping Up draws on Pugh’s own experiences of living with the visual impairments ocular albinism and nystagmus to explore the universal theme of modern family life through the prism of a non-traditional working-class household.
Toads
Various Artists Limited for Channel 4
Toads is a romantic comedy focusing on the story of Amber who, having kissed plenty of toads in search of her prince, she is questioning her choice right before her wedding. The series is built from the taut writing of Amy Gledhill (who also plays Amber), serving up well-observed relationship dynamics, laugh-out-loud moments and standout performances.
Unhinged
Daddy’s SuperYacht Productions for Funny Parts (BBC Studios)
A collection of 20 short films, Unhinged proffers an eclectic mix of accessible yet punchy comedic ideas, ranging from the playful to the surreal, such as a man struggling with his outrageously inappropriate new witness protection name, an optician blind to his partner’s infidelity, and a chaotic brainstorming session at the Live, Laugh, Love sign factory.
AWARD SPONSORED BY ABBAS MEDIA LAW
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