27/05/2009

The One World Media Awards, regarded as the “Oscars” of factual broadcasting journalism and which recognises coverage of the developing world, celebrates its 21st anniversary on June 22 with the addition of the new Drama Award.

This year, the nominees for the Drama Award are César Charlone and Enrique Fernández’s El Baño del Papa, Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Marc-Antoine Robert
interview: Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Pa…
film profile] and Philippe Aractingi’s Under the Bombs [+see also:
trailer
film profile].

Fernández said, “When a small, simple and very local story like ours is short listed together with only two more pictures for such recognition as the One World Media Drama Award, it gives me a strong hint to look for the next subject again in my backyard; maybe even inside my closet.”

Andy Glynne, Director, One World Media Awards, said, “As always, the shortlist for the One World Media Awards reads like a who’s who of the best factual broadcasters, filmmakers, journalists and photographers. We are especially thrilled this year to announce the short listed nominees for the new Drama Award, which highlights the important role fiction on both the telly and the silver screen can play in contributing to our understanding of social, political and cultural issues across the globe. The three finalists selected by the judging panel illustrate the ways in which this genre can communicate such issues in a compelling, imaginative and balanced way.”

Ari Folman’s Waltz with Bashir [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] will compete with Anders Østergaard’s Burma VJ and Joe Berlinger’s Crude for the International Documentary Award.