Producer of ‘Supacell,’ ‘Wonka,’ and ‘Barbie’ Honored at PGGB Awards
The Production Guild of Great Britain (PGGB) celebrated the likes of Warner Bros. film Wonka, Netflix series Supacell, and Barbie, Paddington and Harry Potter franchise producer David Heyman at its awards ceremony on Saturday night.
Hosted by comedian, presenter and actor Patrick Kielty from Northern Ireland at The Grove Hotel in Watford, near London, Heyman received the Contribution to the Industry honor. “I really believe that here in the U.K., we have the best of the best. We have incredible actors, directors, writers, people in production, locations, visual effects, finance and we have the world’s best crews in general,” Heyman said. “Each department is integral to making any film successful, and I would not be receiving this award without the help and support of all the remarkable and inspiring people behind the camera who I have had the good fortune to work with.”
Heyman also highlighted: “This has been a really challenging period for the film and television industries in the U.K. – we’ve had COVID, we’ve had the strikes, and the economy in general has been struggling, to put it mildly. But I feel we’re turning the corner.”
He concluded: “In the next year, I think more productions will start up, more productions will come to the U.K. because it’s the best place in the world to make films and TV shows.”
Among the people featured in a winner’s tribute video for Heyman were actress and producer Margot Robbie and her producer husband Tom Ackerley who have collaborated with Heyman. “Even if you lived under a rock and hated movies, I guarantee you have seen a David Heyman produced film,” joked Robbie. “David, your impeccable taste, your work ethic, and your unwavering faith in filmmakers is unparalleled, and when we ask ourselves what kind of producers we want to be, you have always been our shining example.”
Added Ackerley: “Watching you, learning from you, working alongside you on Barbie, was the greatest privilege of our producing careers.” Robbie and Ackerley wrapped up together. “So, to our partner, our mentor and most importantly, our friend…,” she said before the two said: “Congratulations!”
Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden is the headline sponsor of the awards.
“Our PGGB members are best in class. This wealth of below-the-line talent is the bedrock of our film and television industry, and it’s their hard work and skill that creates the first-class reputation the U.K. has garnered,” said Lyndsay Duthie, CEO of the PGGB.
Added PGGB chair Bianca Gavin: “Our industry is built on collaboration, and we all benefit from the exceptional work of these individuals.”
See the full winners of the PGGB Awards below.
Production Team of the Year – Film Award
Sponsored by Panavision
Winner: Wonka (Warner Bros / Village Roadshow Pictures / Roald Dahl Story Company).
PGGB members Alex Derbyshire (producer), Tim Wellspring (executive producer/UPM) and Adam Hughes (production manager) collected the award on behalf of “a largely U.K. team which included 16 PGGB members, whose passion to deliver an exceptional project was evident,” the guild said.
PGGB members recognized:
Alexandra Ferguson Derbyshire – Producer
Tim Wellspring – Executive Producer/UPM
Adam Hughes – Production Manager
Emma Mallett – Production Manager (Additional Photography)
Oliver Crawford – Assistant Location Manager
Gemma Todd (Smithers) – Post Production Accountant
Cristina Zanoletti – AP Supervisor
Kirsty Lea – Payroll Supervisor
Owen Keys – 1st Assistant Accountant
Andrew Durbin – Assistant Payroll Accountant
Karen Bicknell – Post 1st Assistant Accountant
Tom Ormerod – Production Coordinator
Liam Shorrock – Assistant Production Coordinator
Production Team of the Year – High-End TV Award
Sponsored by Netflix
Winner: Supacell
“The PGGB High-End TV Production Team of the Year Award sponsored by Netflix is presented to the production team behind season 1 of Supacell, an innovative superhero story created, written and directed by rapper and first-time TV director Rapman. Taking audiences by storm, achieving a top 10 placing on Netflix, Supacell stars Tosin Cole, Nadine Mills, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Calvin Demba and Josh Tedeku as the five superheroes pursued by Eddie Marsan and his organization.”
PGGB members recognized:
Nessa King – Financial Controller
Cecily Colahan – Production Manager
Artur Surma – Netflix VFX Finance Consultant Post Production
Marjan Zolghadr – Payroll Accountant
Inspiration Award
Sponsored by BCD Media & Entertainment and Virgin Atlantic Delta Air Lines
Winner: Georgette Turner
“A tireless operator, Georgette Turner delivers incredible results for productions and crews across the industry in her key roles as a Unit Production Manager and Supervising Location Manager, and most recently as a Line Producer. Her credits include Wonder Woman, The Little Mermaid, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, The Boys in the Boat, Edge of Tomorrow, and Austin, as well as countless other productions.”
Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award
Sponsored by EON Productions
Winner: Valeria Bullo
The award is presented to Valeria Bullo “for her tireless work in making the industry a kinder, more inclusive and healthier place for everyone. Her commitment to mental health support, to peer support, and to tackling industry stigma has been transformative and unfaltering, whether in-house or in a consultancy role.”
Spotlight on New Talent Award
Sponsored by MBS Equipment Co
Winner: Marc Ronnie
“The PGGB Spotlight on New Talent Award sponsored by MBS Equipment Co. is presented to Marc Ronnie for the diligence and enthusiasm he has shown in his roles in both the production and accounting departments.
A member of PGGB since 2019 when he was accepted on to the APATS course, Marc has thrown himself into work, and has accumulated some impressive credits including The Sandman (2020-21), When Paddington Met the Queen (2022) and The Acolyte (2022-23), working his way up to payroll supervisor on his most recent production, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2024).
Special Mention: Sarah Boyks
“A Special Mention in this category goes to Sarah Boyks for demonstrating her commitment to her own personal development in the industry as she worked her way up from a COVID department to the production department. Credits: Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story – 2nd Unit Production Coordinator, Stampede Ventures (2022).”
The PGGB Contribution to the Industry Award
Sponsored by Universal Production Services Set Lighting and Rigging
Winner: David Heyman
“Acclaimed U.K. producer David Heyman of Heyday Films, whose glittering credits include the Harry Potter franchise and more recently Wonka, Barbie and the Paddington movies has built a global reputation for excellence and that track record prompted the PGGB jury to name him recipient of the PGGB Contribution to Industry award for 2024.
Icon is an overused word, but David’s work is full of icons, it brings them to life, puts a new spin on them. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood used screen icons Brad Pitt and Leonardo di Caprio, and Quentin Tarantino himself to create a work that’s about icons and film legacy. Paddington and Wonka are icons revived, and Barbie the iconic doll now turned into a freshly iconic, record-breaking movie.
As these blockbusters attest, David Heyman has a suave ability to spot a hit movie and, more crucially, to find its heart. With an indie spirit but a limitless eye for potential, David has made the job of the British film producer a proud, smart and creative one.”