Stimulating, Provocative Media Peace Award Films Screening on Triangle Television

Finalists in the annual Media Peace Awards, which offer some of New Zealand's most inspirational and thought-provoking film, will screen on Triangle Television's Auckland and Wellington stations for three consecutive Sundays starting this weekend.

This year's topics include 'mail order brides', the Rainbow Warrior, ageing gracefully, and the work of a man who has changed the lives and attitudes of some of the country's most entrenched gang members.

Broadcasting these programmes is a highlight in Triangle Television's annual schedule, says Chief Executive Officer Jim Blackman.

"Their merit cannot be over-emphasised. These are eight very different films, each made from unique perspectives. Between them, they are stimulating, provocative and extremely interesting. Some will never reach the mainstream channels, and we consider it an honour to broadcast them."

Now in their 23rd year, the Media Peace Awards are organised annually by The Peace Foundation, and categorised into television/film, radio, and print. They aim to recognise media professionals and students who actively contribute towards reducing conflict, addressing differences and counteracting prejudice.

This year's Awards attracted 62 entries in two sections, Student/Rangatahi and Professional. Triangle Television will screen all finalists (including the winner) in the Student/Rangatahi category and four of the five finalists (including the winner) in the Professional section.

Marion Hancock, Director of The Peace Foundation, says the Media Peace Awards encourage both students and media professionals to engage in and produce works that go beyond the superficial and obvious. "In so doing, they provide an invaluable service to the New Zealand public, and encourage a more peaceful and tolerant society. We were delighted to see a number of new film-makers entering the Awards this year - and holding their ground respectably against the old hands."

Judges commented that entries in this year's Professional category were among the strongest in recent years. They were also impressed with the mix of new stories and old ones told in new ways by those who entered the Student/Rangitahi section. The Award winners were announced at a special ceremony, MC'd by comedians and social commentators Michele A'Court and Jeremy Elwood, at Auckland's Maidment Theatre recently. The guest speaker for the event was Jim Tully, Head of Political Science and Communication at Canterbury University.

The following is Triangle Television's schedule (in order) for screening the films.

SUNDAY 3 DECEMBER, 9.30 PM (STUDENT/RANGATAHI SECTION)

Winner Every Day
Winner, Premier Award
by Nick Preval and Mary-Lou Harris
Focussing on the world of Wellington man Tim Bagnall, this 15-minute film challenges our perceptions of daily life for people with intellectual disabilities, and our feelings of community spirit.

Life Without Fear
Highly Commended
by Sophie Bretherton-Jones
In just 12 minutes and 30 seconds, this film follows a group of volunteer women as they train to help other women subjected to domestic violence, highlighting important and sensitive aspects of the work they do.

Mail Order
Highly Commended
by Zoe McIntosh
This absorbing documentary investigates the world of mail-order brides in New Zealand, the men who purchase them, and the sometimes desperate situations the women face.

Ageing with Grace
Highly Commended
by Katy Taylor
Katy's compassionate short film highlights problems facing the over-80s, and gives insight into the different ways people cope with them in order to live with dignity and grace.

SUNDAY 10 DECEMBER, 9.30 PM (PROFESSIONAL SECTION)

Notorious
Winner, Premier Award
by Amanda Millar and Alison Horwood
This moving documentary highlights inspirational community worker Sam Chapman and the remarkable changes he has wrought among some of New Zealand's most hardened criminals - the Notorious chapter of the Mongrel Mob. With Sam's faith and support behind them, most of the gang members of this chapter have turned from crime to focus on home and family.

Tame Iti – Man Behind the Moko
Finalist
by Chelsea Winstanley
By stripping away the confrontational media persona, this film provides an engrossing character study of the artist, musician, social worker, family man and entrepreneur that, combined, are Tame Iti. It offers a rare glimpse into the motives and passion driving the controversial Maori activist.

Pacific Solution
Commended
by Annie Goldson
The day the World Trade Centre crumbled, 483 Afghan refugees faced their own catastrophe in a small boat off the Australian coast. They were rescued by the Tampa, and found themselves at the centre of a media maelstrom. Pacific Solution tells their story, with particular empathy and detail, in their own words and to their own specially composed music. The film reveals their frustration, anger, fear and hope.

SUNDAY 17 DECEMBER, 9.30 PM (PROFESSIONAL SECTION)
Departure and Return
Finalist
by Claudia Pond Eyley
Retelling the final voyage of the Rainbow Warrior, this 65-minute film brings the tale of the ship and the anti-nuclear movement in the South Pacific vividly to life through the personal experiences of women environmental activists. It shows not only how they coped during crisis, but also how they returned to living in conventional society afterwards.

ENDS

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