A Nottingham company has won two international awards for a series of films which documented the history of the civil war in Notts.
Spool Films scooped the coveted silver dolphin in two categories at the Cannes Corporate and Media TV awards.
It produced the short films for the National Civil War Centre in Newark, which used them for a smart phone app designed to bring the history of the conflict to life for visitors.
After downloading the app viewers could hold their smart phones up at key civil war locations to see scenes from history recreated.
The films allow viewers to meet characters ranging from King Charles I to John Twentyman on an interactive timeline.
Video: Watch how the films form part of the app for the centre and a history trail around Newark
The films have been nominated for a further two awards by the Royal Television Society.
The only difference to a feature film was the budget
Producer Mary Kearns said: “We approached these films as if each one was a feature film in its own right, employing a talented crew, ensuring a strong script and cast and using high production values. The only difference was the budget.
“They show that ‘corporate’ films have the power to entertain and educate and the awards are testament to the quality of the storytelling.”
Spool has also helped in the production of This is England, I Believe in Miracles and This Girl Can.
Nottinghamshire Civil War Facts
- The English Civil War began in Nottingham on August 22 1642 when King Charles I flew the royal standard from Nottingham Castle. This symbolised the collapse of talks between Parliamentarians and Royalists
- King Charles I found a lot of support in the East Midlands and Nottingham in particular, raising a 2,000-strong army from locals at the beginning of the war
- Nottinghamshire was one of the main battlegrounds for Roundheads and Cavaliers and changed hands several times during the conflict
- Not only did the first civil war begin in Nottingham it ended in Nottingham when Scottish troops in Southwell handed over King Charles I to the English Parliament
- The civil war resulted in Britain becoming the parliamentary monarchy it is today
