ABS-CBN continues to be recognized abroad for producing world class stories as three of its documentaries were honored in the prestigious 2020 New York Festivals TV and Film Awards.
ABS-CBN DocuCentral’s “Local Legends” episode about 74-year-old artist and environmentalist Ric Obenza who dedicated his life restoring the forests in Davao captured a Silver World Medal, while another DocuCentral documentary “Alab (Ablaze),” about the courage and camaraderie of Filipino volunteer firefighters, took home a Bronze World Medal in the Heroes category.
Completing the winners this year for ABS-CBN, which took home the most medals among media networks from the Philippines, is the episode “Tao Po (Is Anybody Home?)” by award-winning documentarist Jeff Canoy for the documentary series “#NoFilter”. The piece, which won a Bronze World Medal in the Human Concerns category, revolves around the life of a mother caring for her daughter diagnosed with Down Syndrome. This is the first international award for “#NoFilter” since its launch in 2019.
Five ABS-CBN documentaries were also named as finalists in the competition, including “HIV Rising” by Korina Sanchez-Roxas, “Local Legends: Glass Sculptor” about glass artist Ramon Orlina, “Invisible,” a documentary on mental health, and two more documentaries from Jeff Canoy—“Ang Babae ng Balangiga (The Woman of Balangiga)” and “Tigdas” for the now-on-hiatus program “Red Alert.”
ABS-CBN has won consistently in the New York Festivals in recent years, including Gold World Medals for the “Elsa and Sarah” TV spot of ABS-CBN Creative Communications Management in 2019 and the acclaimed “Di Ka Pasisiil (Never Shall Be Conquered)” documentary by Canoy and Chiara Zambrano in 2018.
In a post on Instagram, Canoy dedicated his latest win to the subjects of his winning documentary. “This one’s for Nanay Anna and Candy. Here’s to more stories that shine a light on persons with different needs. And for us to be kinder to one another,” he said.
The New York Festivals Best TV and Film Awards aims to honor content in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries with a jury composed of broadcast and film leaders from around the world.
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