Caitlin Fitzsimmons 

Julie Walters and ITV’s Deborah Turness honoured at TV awards

ITV network news editor Deborah Turness was among the winners at the Women in Film and Television Awards, as Julie Walters won the lifetime achievement prize. By Caitlin Fitzsimmons
  
  


The ITV network news editor, Deborah Turness, was among the winners at the Women in Film and Television Awards today.

Turness, who was the first female editor of network news in Britain, won the BBC news and factual award, presented by Sir Trevor McDonald.

The awards, which have been running since 1990, celebrate the achievements of women in the film, television and digital media industries.

Julie Walters, 58, was the youngest ever winner of the WFT lifetime achievement award.

The Bafta and Golden Globe-winning actor most recently starred alongside Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth in the Abba-inspired blockbuster Mamma Mia!.

Walters' diverse film roles over a 34-year career include Molly Weasley in the Harry Potter films, and parts in Educating Rita, Calendar Girls and Billy Elliot.

Her TV work includes Boys from the Blackstuff, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, GBH, Ahead of the Class and Alan Bennett's Talking Heads.

Walters has also appeared alongside Victoria Wood in several shows, including Dinnerladies and as Mrs Overall in the spoof soap Acorn Antiques.

Mamma Mia!, the biggest-grossing British film of all time, was a recurring theme at this year's WFT awards.

The film's scriptwriter Catherine Johnson, producer Judy Craymer and director Phyllida Lloyd shared the ITV achievement of the year award. Johnson also won the UK Film Council script award.

Tessa Ross, the Channel 4 controller of film and drama and the executive producer of movies including Brick Lane, In Bruges and the upcoming The Lovely Bones, won the Ruby Films contribution to the medium award.

Actor Patrick Stewart presented the Panalux craft award to Sue Rowe, a special effects supervisor with credits including The Golden Compass, Troy, Harry Potter and both Tomb Raider films.

Long-standing Bond movie producer Barbara Broccoli took home the Olswang business award.

Lily Allen presented the Barclays Commercial project management award to Isobel Griffiths, who has worked on the musical scores for films such as Casino Royale, Pirates of the Caribbean and Narnia.

Susanna White, the director of films such as Jane Eyre and television series including Generation Kill and Bleak House, won the UIP / WFTV new director award, presented by Gillian Anderson.

Actor Tilda Swinton won the Skillset creative originality award, while film producer Rebekah Gilbertson won the Talkback Thames News talent award.

Gok Wan hosted the WFT awards ceremony at the Park Lane Hilton in London, sponsored by Target Entertainment Group.

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