A campaign film for the international anti-Somali piracy campaign, SOS SaveOurSeafarers, has scooped top prize at the Royal Television Society (RTS) North East and Border awards.

The promotional film, produced by Gates head-based Your Film Ltd, fought off stiff competition to win the award for Best Promotion or Commercial at the awards held at Gates head on Saturday February 18.

The six-minute video highlights the significant threat of Somali piracy attacks on the worldwide seafarer community and the impact on world trade.

The video drives its point home with a mixture of live interviews, and a "Hollywood style" action sequence, using the latest technology, where a ship is captured and hostages taken.

Commenting on the award, Matthew Newman, Managing Director at YourFilm Ltd, producer of the SOS film, said:
"We are incredibly honoured to win the Royal Television Society Award for Best Promotion or Commercial, which is always a highly competitive category.

"The SOS film was a great project to work on and pushed us to our creative limits. It included various unique challenges, not least the logistics of securing a location with a port happy to allow us to film a dozen guys dressed as pirates with AK-47s!"

Bill Box, Secretary of SOS SaveOurSeafarers, added:
"We are delighted that Your Film has received industry recognition for the SaveOurSeafarers video which is playing a pivotal role in taking our campaign message to a wider audience. It has helped us to gain support outside as well as inside the maritime industry and highlights the need for firmer government action against Somali piracy."

The campaign, launched in March 2011, is backed by the largest ever grouping of international seafarers' organisations, shipping industry associations and insurance interests. It has already received backing from a number of governments including the UK and the Philippines, and has secured support from 180 countries.