Renzo Spiteri Wins Prestigious UK Royal Television Society Award

Musician, composer and sound artist Renzo Spiteri has added another milestone to his illustrious international career, winning a Royal Television Society (RTS) Craft & Design Award in the sound category for his work as sound recordist on the National Geographic documentary Billy and Molly: An Otter Love Story. The film, which aired on National Geographic and Disney+, tells the touching true story of a wild otter named Molly and her human rescuer in the Scottish Highlands.

Photo: Renzo Spiteri/Facebook

The accolade was presented at the RTS ceremony held at the Hilton London, where Spiteri was part of a five-person sound team recognized for their contribution to the critically acclaimed production. In a heartfelt social media post, the Glasgow-based artist said he was “speechless” and thanked “the awesome team behind this wonderful project,” reflecting on what he described as “what a journey!”

This latest honour follows earlier recognition for the same film: a nomination for an Emmy® Award in the category of Outstanding Sound – Documentary, while the documentary itself secured an Emmy for Outstanding Writing.

Originally from Malta and now based in Glasgow, Scotland, Renzo Spiteri is one of Malta’s most internationally respected contemporary musicians. His artistic practice spans more than three decades and bridges multiple disciplines—blending performance, composition, sound design, field recording, improvisation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Photo: Renzo Spiteri/Facebook

Spiteri’s work defies easy categorisation: he performs as a multi-percussionist and drummer, composes immersive soundscapes, creates sound installations, and works as a filmmaker’s sound collaborator. His compositions often weave traditional and experimental practices, integrating organic environmental sound elements that heighten narrative and emotive depth in both audio and visual media.

Over the years, Spiteri’s dynamic performances have graced prestigious venues and festivals across the globe—including the Royal Festival Hall (London), United Nations Headquarters (Geneva), Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington DC), SOTA (Singapore), WOMAD, Musica Viva, PASIC, and numerous others. His work alongside dancers, visual artists, filmmakers and theatre professionals underscores his belief in sound as a fully immersive, inter-sensory art form.

Photo: Renzo Spiteri/Facebook

Despite his global footprint, Spiteri’s Maltese heritage remains central to his artistic vision. His projects often reflect an engagement with Maltese soundscapes and environments. For example, his solo conceptual work Silence, Sounds and Spaces—inspired by the prehistoric sites of the Maltese islands—emerged from on-site recording commissions and performances that connect ancient space with modern acoustic exploration.

His sound installations and experiential works, such as Between the Heard—an auditory journey through the city of Valletta—invite listeners to reconsider how ordinary environments shape perception through sound.

In addition to his performance and recording work, Spiteri has played leadership roles in Malta’s cultural scene. He was appointed Malta’s national ambassador for the EU’s Year for Intercultural Dialogue (2008) and has served as artistic director of the Malta World Music Festival, fostering artistic exchange and celebrating cultural diversity.

Renzo Spiteri’s latest honor from the Royal Television Society not only celebrates his technical excellence in sound, but also underscores his ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of what sound art can achieve—whether in cinematic storytelling, live performance, or the spaces between.

Melodija.eu congratulates Renzo Spiteri on this prestigious achievement.