Dame Mary Berry received The EON Productions Lifetime Achievement Award at today’s Women in Film & Television Awards, in partnership with Sky.
Now in its 33rd year, there were winners across 14 categories including directing, writing, producing, performance, business and contribution to the medium.
Having graced our screens for over 40 years, Berry started her broadcasting career as the resident cook on ITVs Afternoon Plus, winning the hearts of the nation again as a judge of The Great British Bake Off.
Dame Mary Berry joins a distinguished list of previous Women in Film & Television Lifetime Achievement award-winners, including Meera Syal CBE, Sue Barker CBE, Baroness Floella Benjamin, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Sheila Hancock, Katharine Hepburn, Dame Glenda Jackson, Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Joanna Lumley, Dame Esther Rantzen, Dame Vanessa Redgrave, and Dame Maggie Smith.
The Eikon Presenter Award was awarded to chef, author, television and radio broadcaster Andi Oliver for her work as the Host of BBC’s Great British Menu, Food Unwrapped, and as a contributing Chef and Host of Saturday Kitchen.
The Argonon Best Performance Award went to actor Jessica Gunning, honouring her work on screen as Martha in the critically acclaimed Netflix dark comedy series, Baby Reindeer (2024). This recognition follows her standout role in The Outlaws (2021).
Juliet Riddell was given The ITV Studios Achievement of the Year Award by Anita Rani. With over 20 years’ experience in TV and Film, including two arts series with Grayson Perry for Channel 4 and prime time factual programmes for BBC, ITV and Sky Arts. Riddell is currently Head of New Formats for the Financial Times.
The Netflix New Talent Award went to actor Ambika Mod who had a breakout year with her first lead role performance as Emma Morley in Netflix’s One Day (2024), following her earlier success in the acclaimed series This Is Going to Hurt (2022), establishing her as a rising star in TV.
For 30 years of trailblazing contributions, The Paramount Contribution to the Medium Award was presented to Kirsty Wark. From hosting The Late Show to leading Election specials and live stadium events, Wark has been a prominent figure on the BBC’s flagship nightly current affairs program Newsnight since 1993. Additionally, she helmed the weekly arts and culture show The Review Show (formerly Newsnight Review) for over a decade. Throughout her career, she has conducted in-depth interviews with a wide range of notable figures, including Margaret Thatcher, Madonna, Harold Pinter, Pete Doherty, Damian Hirst, George Clooney, Toni Morrison, Donna Tartt, and Philip Roth.
The Envy Producer Award went to Daisy Allsop (Producer, Archface Films) who produced the first film to be written and directed by a filmmaker with Down Syndrome, The Puppet Asylum 30 minute short with incredible production values and a stellar cast.
Additionally, the UK’s best behind the scenes talent were applauded at the Women in Film & Television Awards 2024, with Victoria Mapplebeck (Director, Motherboard, 2024), Holly Waddington (Costume Designer, Poor Things, 2023), Faiza Tovey (Production Manager, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, 2024), Nicole Taylor (Lead Writer and Executive Producer, One Day, 2024), Norma Percy (Series Producer, Putin vs the West, 2023), Frith Tiplady (Managing Director, Moonage Pictures) and Zeb Achonu (Film and TV Editor, White Nanny, Black Child , 2023) all winning on the day in recognition of their craft and how they are all forging their own paths in the creative media industry.
CEO Katie Bailiff at Women in Film & Television Awards said: “We’re here today to celebrate the unstoppable force that is women in film and television. Our vision as a thriving, creative, inclusive industry where women are supported, empowered and celebrated at every level. We’ve come a long way, but there are still clearly doors that need to be opened and ceilings that need to be smashed as we continue to fight for equal representation both off and on screen. This has been one of the industry’s toughest ever years. With all the creativity, resilience, and brilliance the women in our industry are defined by, we pull it off. Because we always do.”
Pippa Considine
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