NHNZ Brings Home the World Silver

NHNZ
Media Release
Thursday February 12th 2009

NHNZ Brings Home the World Silver

NHNZ is celebrating the success of its popular series Orangutan Island which has been awarded a world silver medal for Best Docudrama at the New York Festivals.

The series, which follows a group of orphaned Orangutan children as they form their own society on a river island sanctuary, debuted on Animal Planet in November 2007. A second series is now in production and is premiering across the U.S.

Orangutan Island is produced by NHNZ for Animal Planet and reflects the Dunedin-based production company’s prowess in docu-drama style wildlife story telling.

NHNZ managing director Michael Stedman says Orangutan Island has struck a chord with audiences as well as the international film festival’s judging panel.

“The show has a strong following around the world.  Orangutan Island is both heartbreaking and uplifting and appeals to people across a wide range of ages and backgrounds.”

Series Producer Judith Curran says behind the entertaining drama the series is evolving to highlight a more serious purpose, raising awareness of Borneo’s deforestation for palm oil plantations and, the plight of the endangered Orangutan.

“Rainforest felling means these amazing primates, which share 97 per cent of our DNA, have seen their share of heartache. They are often taken from their mothers at a young age and are severely traumatized just like human children would.  

“Orangutan Island takes the audience on a remarkable journey following the progress of key characters who are learning how to survive without their mothers as they form their complex society.  Thousands of Animal Planet viewers have been moved to adopt orphaned Orangutans and audience donations are helping the rescue program purchase more land for sanctuaries as a result of the series.

“The ultimate goal is to prepare them to return to the wild. Of course as the rainforest disappears, this becomes a more difficult dream to realize,” she says.

The New York Festivals International Television Programming and Promotion Awards recognize "The World's Best Work" in news, documentary, information and entertainment programming as well as in music videos, infomercials, promotion spots, openings and ID's. Now entering its 52nd year, the total number of entries in the festival continues to grow.

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