FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF
THE 25TH ANNUAL RORY PECK AWARDS
Honouring freelance journalists and filmmakers worldwide
London, 24/11/2020: Recognising the talent of freelance journalists and filmmakers in news and current affairs globally, the Rory Peck Trust has today announced the winners of its annual Awards. 2020 sees the Rory Peck Awards rewarding outstanding freelance talent for the 25th consecutive year, in what was a first for the organisation – an online Awards presentation accessible to audiences all around the world.
Access the online Awards presentation here: https://rorypecktrust.org/awards-2020
The Trust is one of the only organisations providing practical and financial support to freelance journalists and their families worldwide when they need it the most. Each year, the four categories of the Rory Peck Awards attract entries from the world’s most exceptional freelancers, who go to great lengths to bring us the news from all corners of the world. This year, a record number of entries was received.
This year’s winners of the four Awards are as follows:
The News Features Award went to Columbian filmmakers Ramon Campos and Alejandro Bernal for In Enemy Territory, their unique film about a “peace community” in a rural mountainous area of Columbia that has lived surrounded by conflict for nearly 20 years. Broadcast by Al Jazeera Witness, their film was praised by the judges as “super relevant” and “incredibly compelling”.
The Sony Impact Award for Current Affairs was won by Sasha Joelle Achilli for Italy’s Frontline: A Doctor’s Diary (BBC Two/PBS Frontline). Her film gives an unprecedented insight into life on the COVID frontline with an A&E doctor. Given unprecedented access to one of Italy’s hardest-hit hospitals in northern Italy, Achilli was able to film at a time when the media could only see the aftermath of the virus’ toll. The judges said: “Gripping story-telling. A powerful tale of love, family and professional dedication.”
The News Award, sponsored by Google, was presented to Guillermo Galdos for his film Poor forced to collect Covid corpses for work in Peru, commissioned by Channel 4 News. Calling it “a breathtakingly up-close account that takes us to the heart of the suffering”, the judges said: “this piece stood out, providing intimate footage and authentic interviews to weave together two of this year’s major stories.”
The Martin Adler Prize, supported by the Embassy of Sweden, was awarded to Maha Hussaini, a freelance Palestinian journalist who, over the past six years, has covered events in Gaza, including the ongoing dispute between Fatah and Hamas, Palestinian reaction to the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem and the Great March of Return. This special prize honours a local freelancer who has made a significant contribution to newsgathering, but who is largely unrecognised by the international news media.
For further details of all the 2020 winners see: https://rorypecktrust.org/awards/
The Director of the Rory Peck Trust, Clothilde Redfern, notes that the coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating effect on freelance journalists’ livelihoods. “So it’s particularly important this year to recognise the talent and dedication it takes to uncover the truth and keep us informed.”
Benedicte Autret, Head of Strategic Relationships, News & Publishers of Google, said, “Demand for quality journalism has never been higher.” She added that the important role freelance journalists play is why Google is proud to sponsor the 2020 Rory Peck Awards.
Belen Arronte Arroyuelos, Head of Media Solutions Marketing, Sony Professional Solutions Europe, said Sony has been sponsoring and supporting the Rory Peck Trust for over 20 years “because this work matters. Sony has been providing freelancers with the best tools we can to allow them to bring us the stories and facts that we all need to hear and see, fast and from anywhere.”
-ENDS-
For further information, please contact:
Leanne Dmyterko
Senior Communications, Marketing & Events Manager, Rory Peck Trust
awards@rorypecktrust.org