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Telefilm Canada / APTN Present Aboriginal Production Awards
At the 2002 Banff Television Festival
Banff, June 10, 2002 – Richard Stursberg, Executive Director of Telefilm Canada, Jim Compton, Programming Director of Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) and Alanis Obomsawin, Chair of the Aboriginal Awards jury, are pleased to announce the recipients of the sixth-annual Telefilm Canada / APTN Awards. Puppet Health, an episode of Takuginai, an Inuit language children’s program received the award for the Aboriginal-language category and Cree for Kids, received the award for the English-language or French-language category.
Telefilm Canada and APTN created the Awards in order to recognize outstanding achievement in television programming produced by Aboriginals. This year 26 eligible television programs – 7 produced in an Aboriginal language and 19 produced in English or French – were in competition for the Awards, which will be presented at the closing ceremonies of the 23nd Banff Television Festival on June 14th, 2002.
Takuginai, episode Puppet Health written, produced, and directed by Leetia Ineak of the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation is an Inuit language puppet show geared for the pre-school audience with subject matter focused on Northern life.
Cree for Kids created by Art Napoleon of Pesim Productions, who also wrote the music and hosted the show, is a fun filled-language lesson program, infused with music.
“I am extremely pleased to see that both of this year’s winning productions are directed at children and that they have truly significant language and cultural components,” says Richard Stursberg. “Telefilm Canada is very proud to see that the quality and range of programming produced with the assistance of the Aboriginal Language Envelope of the Canadian Television Fund is reaching larger audiences all the time.”
“Takuginai honors the everyday life of the Inuit people and their outstanding contribution to children’s programs in their own voice. Cree for Kids is full of love for children and it also has a great concern for the Cree language in making sure the children can learn Cree in a most fun and pleasant way,” said Alanis Obomsawin, Jury chair.
“I’m very happy with the jury’s selection”, said Jim Compton, Director of Programming for APTN. “The awards recognize and encourage the further development of programming aimed at Aboriginal youth.”
Awards dedicated to developing and producing new Aboriginal television productions
The Telefilm Canada / APTN Awards will take the form of a $10,000 pre-approved contribution by the Corporation for the development or production of a future work eligible for Telefilm Canada assistance. Additional benefits for the producers of the winning program include free registration to the 2002 Banff Television Festival and access to post-production facilities at the Banff Centre for the Arts.
The winners of the Telefilm Canada / Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Awards were selected by an independent jury comprised of representatives from the Aboriginal community, all of whom are recognised for their achievements in television and film production or cultural contributions. Presided over by Officer of the Order of Canada, award-winning writer/director/producer Alanis Obomsawin (Quebec Region) the jury also included Rodger Ross (Western Region), Maggie Paul (Atlantic Region), Arthur (Tookie) Mercredi (Northern Region), and Michael Doxtater (Ontario Region).
Telefilm Canada, a cultural investor in cinema, television, new media and music
Telefilm Canada is a federal cultural agency dedicated primarily to the development and promotion of the Canadian film, television new media and music industry. The Corporation acts as one of the government’s principal instruments for providing strategic leverage to the Canadian private sector.
APTN
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network is the first National Aboriginal television network in the world, proudly carrying out its mandate to preserve, encourage and share Aboriginal cultures with all Canadians. APTN is available in almost 9 million households across the country, on basic cable and basic direct to home satellite services. It broadcasts 70% Canadian content from all regions of the country, in English, French, and a variety of Aboriginal Languages.
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Information:
Shelley Nowazek, Communications Officer, Western Region
Telefilm Canada - Banff Television Festival, Hospitality Suite, (403) 762-2211
Jeanine Basile, Manager - Communications and Public Affairs
basilej@telefilm.gc.ca (514) 283-6363 or 1-800-567-0890
Chris Allicock, Network Publicist, APTN
callicock@aptn.ca (416) 254-1064
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