A Maltese musician and sound designer has struck gold in the UK, winning a prestigious Royal Television Society (RTS) award for his audio work on a hit National Geographic documentary.
Renzo Spiteri, now based in Glasgow, was part of a five-strong team honoured with the RTS Craft & Design Award for Sound for Billy and Molly: An Otter Love Story — the much-talked-about National Geographic and Disney+ feature that has charmed audiences worldwide.
Shot along the rugged Scottish coastline, the 2024 documentary tells the heartwarming true story of Molly, a wild otter, and the improbable bond she forms with her human rescuer, Billy Mail.
Reacting to the news, Spiteri said he was “speechless,” thanking the “awesome team behind this wonderful project” and calling the experience “a journey” from start to finish.
The RTS win adds to the film’s already glittering accolades. The otter tale earned Spiteri an Emmy nomination earlier this year, and the documentary itself walked away with the Emmy for Outstanding Writing.
Last night’s ceremony — held at the Hilton London and hosted by Northern Irish presenter Christine Lampard — saw the BBC dominate with seven victories. Netflix and Disney both followed with two awards apiece, including Spiteri’s feature, which also triumphed in the directing and photography categories.
RTS Craft & Design Awards chair Emma Gormley praised the breadth of talent showcased this year, saying: “This year’s winners show the full scope of this talent – from camerawork, production, costume and make-up to sound and much more.”
Known for blending traditional, experimental and contemporary sound worlds, Spiteri often weaves environmental audio into his work. His sound installations have previously appeared at Spazju Kreattiv and Palazzo de Piro in Mdina.
The Royal Television Society, recognised as the world’s oldest television society, continues to set the bar for excellence in the industry. Through its awards, lectures, conferences and training events, the RTS honours the craft, creativity and innovation that shape TV across the UK and Ireland.
Last night’s Craft & Design Awards celebrated “outstanding achievements across all genres and disciplines, and on both sides of the camera” — and Spiteri’s win ensures Maltese talent was firmly in the spotlight.
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