Ballarat's own LGBTQIA variety show LaNCE TV has come through lockdowns and last-minute hosting changes to be awarded the highest accolade for Technical and Creative Ingenuity at this year's locked-down C31's Antenna Awards, as voted by their industry peers.
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Originally billed to co-host the Community TV's 'Night of Nights', the show's presenters Lance DeBoyle and Gabriella Labucci were unable to travel to Melbourne due to Ballarat's current restrictions. Instead the pair pre-recorded four awards presentations and made their acceptance speech from the Humffray Room in the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute.
"It's stunning to be acknowledged by a jury of our industry peers for our first year of broadcast to Melbourne television," Lance DeBoyle told The Courier.
"It was a steep learning curve for us, and we're over the moon that our efforts have been recognised by the pros and our fellow broadcasters. We are thrilled that we were able to conquer all to bring our LGBTQIA+ variety show to a broader audience through C31 in Melbourne and live on Facebook, too."
LaNCETV has broadcast 171 programs since 2017, interviewing 216 people and raising awareness about LGBTQIA and community issues such as Ballarat Mental Health Week, Federation University's FedPride Strategy, and Transgender Day of Remembrance, as well as broadcasting live from the Chillout Festival.
"We were lucky to have a small window of opportunity, in between lockdowns, to pre-record our presentations and acceptance speech," co-host Gabriella Labucci said.
"We were extremely proud to be able to show a little piece of Ballarat to Melbourne television audiences."
The 10th Antenna Award ceremony was broadcast live on C31 Melbourne and Channel 44 Adelaide as well as satellite and CTV Plus Australia on Saturday 18 September. The pair observed strict lockdown rules while innovatively using multiple cameras and the Humffray Room space to recreate their program's live atmosphere and present awards, despite missing the chance to compere the entire program.
"We really were ready for that co-hosting gig and must admit to being slightly disappointed, but Melbourne comedienne and JOY 94.9 presenter Annie Louey did a magnificent job of hosting the event," Lance DeBoyle said.
LaNCE TV has also been nominated at this year's GLOBE Victoria awards, which celebrating achievement in Victoria's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex communities, highlighting organisations and individuals benefiting the Victorian LGBTIQ community.
