For the first time, Anglican Video has won an award from the prestigious International TV and Video Association of North America.
Its half hour documentary, A Journey Begins … With a Dream, beat 1,200 other productions from across the United States and Canada to win bronze in the internal communications category.
The video chronicles a meeting in July 1997 in Lethbridge, Alta., in which Native people from across the country gathered to discuss their identity as indigenous Anglicans and partners in a movement towards self-determination. The video features many poignant scenes of Native Anglicans struggling to come to terms with the oppression and abuse they suffered in the past, but also portrays their hopes for the future. Members of the Anglican Video team were thrilled when they found out about the award.
“I feel good. It’s the recognition that’s important,” says Ghideon Musa, the videographer for Anglican Video.
Lisa Barry, senior producer, said, “I think the reason we appreciate this award is because our budget was very small compared to the others were were competing against. For example, we were up against big companies like Bell Canada that have a lot more money to make their corporate videos.”
The video was made for $25,000. The International TV and Video Awards were handed out in New Orleans in the first week of June. No one from Anglican Video was able to attend. In fact, they didn’t find out about their prize until a few weeks later. Just before General Synod in May, they were pleased to hear they were on the short list, but got too busy to think much more about it. It wasn’t until the end of June when their editor, Tim Ford, found out through the Internet they had won bronze.
An hour later, the award and a congratulatory letter arrived by courier. “They had tried to phone us but we were too busy in production for General Synod,” Ms. Barry said. “I hope this award will encourage Anglicans across Canada to watch this program and gain more insight into the struggles of native Anglicans,” she said.