National Geographic Television & Film (NGT&F) EVP and executive producer for Explorer David Royle said, It’s a great honor to be recognized for the quality of so many of our programs in this international competition. Our production teams have braved bullets in Liberia, dived in the Arctic with polar bears, flown on helicopter drug raids in Colombia and climbed into the Himalayas to tell the remarkable story of two doctors restoring eyesight to the blind. It’s exciting television that were now delighted to bring to our viewers on the National Geographic Channel.
Liberia: American Dream? recognized by the New York Festivals with a gold world medal in national/international affairs, also won the Edward R. Murrow Award for best television documentary on international affairs by the Overseas Press Club in 2004 and a duPont-Columbia University Award for excellence in television journalism earlier this month. The documentary is an unflinching and compelling account of Liberias 13-year civil war and the countrys close ties to the United States. The National Geographic crew documented the ravages of war, including wrenching stories of how women were victimized, young boys coerced into taking up arms and how more than 150 people gathered the immense courage required to be interviewed for this report.
The complete list of New York Festivals awards for Explorer are as follows:
Liberia: American Dream?
National/International Affairs Gold World Medal
China’s Lost Girls
Social Issues/Currrent Events Gold World Medal
Terrors of Tasmania
Best Soundtrack/Audiomix Gold World Medal
Forensic Case: The Hunley
Best Editing Gold World Medal
History & Sociaty Bronze World Medal
Miracle Doctors
Cultural Issues Silver World Medal
Killer Cats of the Kalahari
Best Soundtrack/Audiomix Silver World Medal
The War Next Door
National/International Affairs Bronze World Medal
Battle of the Arctic Giants
Nature & Wildlife Finalist Certificate