The 2022 inductees have been announced
Date posted
27 May 2022
11:11
Each year Edinburgh Napier recognises notable alumni from the School of Arts and Creative Industries (SACI) through the SACI Alumni Hall of Fame.
These alumni have gone on to achieve excellence in their careers and have made significant contributions to their profession. This honour serves as a tribute to their creative talents and recognises their professional achievements.
Nick Eardley, Ben Sharrock and Irune Gurtubai have been inducted into the Hall of Fame following a digital celebration held on Edinburgh Napier Alumni’s social media channels.
The 2022 cohort will be formally inducted to the Hall of Fame at a ceremony on Tuesday 31 May at the University’s Merchiston campus. The evening also provides a chance for alumni, industry contacts and staff to view the creative talent on show at the Edinburgh Napier Degree Show, network with each other and reconnect with old classmates.
A little bit more about this year’s inductees…
Nick Eardley
MA Journalism 2011
Political Correspondent
Nick is a political correspondent, based at Westminster for BBC News. 
He enrolled in Edinburgh Napier University’s Journalism postgraduate course in 2009, after which he began working at The Scotsman newspaper in Edinburgh with a fellow student. After several years at the paper, he moved to London to work for the BBC. Nick originally worked for the website team, before branching out into TV and Radio. He has covered big political events in recent years, including two general elections, two Scottish Parliament elections, the Brexit process and the Covid pandemic.
Learn more about Nick
Irune Gurtubai
MA Film 2012; MFA Advanced Film Practice 2015
Producer
Irune Gurtubai is a BAFTA-nominated and BIFA Breakthrough-winning producer.
Irune’s second feature film, LIMBO (Ben Sharrock, 2020), produced through her company Caravan Cinema, was part of the Cannes 2020 Official Selection and had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. She received the BIFA Breakthrough Producer award for her work on the film. LIMBO was nominated for two BAFTA awards for Best British Film and Outstanding Debut, and it won four BAFTA Scotland Awards including Best Film. LIMBO was one of the top-performing British independent films at the UK and Ireland box office for 2021 and received worldwide distribution by Focus Features and Universal Pictures. 
Irune produced her first feature film PIKADERO in 2015. PIKADERO premiered at the San Sebastian International Film Festival and went on to win several awards, including the Michael Powell Award for Best British Film at Edinburgh International Film Festival and the Critic’s Choice Award at Zurich Film Festival.
Prior to that, Irune’s graduation short film PATATA TORTILLA won two BAFTA New Talent Awards for Best Drama and Best Script. Irune received Edinburgh Napier University’s University Medal for Outstanding Achievement.
Learn more about Irune
Ben Sharrock
MA Film 2012; MFA Advanced Film Practice 2015
Writer/Director
Ben Sharrock is a BAFTA-nominated writer and director known for his unique sense of cinematic style and voice.
Ben’s sophomore feature film, LIMBO, was part of the Cannes Film Festival “Official Selection 2020" label. LIMBO received two BAFTA nominations including Outstanding British Film and won four BAFTA Scotland awards including, Best Film, Best Writer and Best Director. It was one of the top-performing British independent films at the UK and Ireland box office for 2021 and was internationally distributed by Focus Features and Universal Pictures.
Previous work includes PIKADERO – Ben’s debut film which was screened at over 40 major film festivals across the globe – and the short film, PATATA TORTILLA, which won two BAFTA New Talents awards for Best Drama and Best Writer.
Ben studied Arabic and Politics before attending Edinburgh Napier University/Screen Academy Scotland.
Learn more about Ben
Previous SACI Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
Meet the alumni who have been inducted into the SACI Alumni Hall of Fame since its inception in 2016.
Read more
Come along to our Degree Show Event to celebrate our Hall of Fame inductees.
Register here