2011 International Awards of Excellence

Awards Night

Press Release: International Documentary Awards Announced
IAWRT Awards of Excellence was announced at the 34th Biennial Conference of the International  Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) hosted by IPPTAR, ABU and FOKUS in Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 23rd November  2011

The Tun Abdul Razak Institute of Broadcasting and Information (IPPTAR), Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and the Forum for Women and Development (FOKUS) are hosting the 34th IAWRT Biennial Conference, which has brought 55 IAWRT members from 28 countries around the world. The IAWRT Awards of Excellence is an integral part of the Conference.  Two international juries reviewed programs directed by women about women - from all continents of the world.

The IAWRT Awards of Excellence for the best radio and television documentary 2011 has been announced. The cash awards of US$ 1000 each will go to radio producer Louise Williams from Ireland, and to television director Limor Pashov from Israel.

Louise WilliamsThe Award winning radio documentary “I Can Tell by Looking at You” by Louise Williams
is a personal story, told by herself, of how little looks count when your identity is suspected to be mixed up in a fraud. Louise was traveling back home to Ireland from Netherlands where she had just completed conducting a training workshop. At Schiphol Airport, she was stopped at the passport control as the police needed to check something that had come up on the computer. What followed is a nightmare! This is a story that touches all World Travelers.

The jury felt that this is a global issue. It highlights mistakes that can result in very traumatizing experiences.  The story creates suspense all the way and raises questions that the listener would like answered by those responsible.

Honorable Mentions were given to three radio documentaries.

Kellia RamaresThe first honorable mention goes to Kellia Ramares for her documentary ‘Do Tell: Queer Women Vets Sound Off on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”.

Leeanne O’DonnelThe second honorable mention goes to Leenne O’Donnel for her production "An Extra Ordinary Affair".

Tasneem AhmarAnd the third honorable mention goes to Tasneem Amar for her programme "Our Rights, Our Responsibilities".

Limor PashovThe Award winning television documentary “Melissa, Mom and Me" by Limor Pashov, addresses the theme of sex work in an intimate and original way. The director weaves home video footage taken by Yael, one of the main protagonists, along with an intimate observational documentary approach. The result is an original and compassionate look at two women who became intimate while working as strippers seven years earlier. The film explores these women's relationships to their families and the psychological factors that contributed to their entry into the sex industry. Rather than feeling like voyeurs, the audience is drawn into a process where the protagonists use the documentary to reflect on and to make sense of their past.

Honorable Mentions were given to three TV documentaries.

Amanda PopeThe first Honorable Mention goes to Amanda Pope, USA, for The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club.  

Kinga Woloszyn SwierkThe Second Honorable Mention goes to Kinga Woloszyn Swierk from Poland, director of Girls at Auschwitz – Poland.

Nefise Özkal Lorentzen

The Third Honorable Mention goes to Nefise Ozkal Lorentzen, director of
A Balloon for Allah – Norway

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