Seven “International Trailblazers” To Be Awarded at MIPDOC 2009

Paris, 26 February 2009 MIPDOC, the international showcase for documentary screenings has named seven directors, selected for their creativity, innovation and personal vision in the world of documentary making, to receive International Trailblazer awards at MIPDOC 2009. This year’s event runs from 28-29 March, at the Hotel InterContinental Carlton in Cannes, ahead of MIPTV. As both a market and a forum for creativity, MIPDOC is delighted to welcome the International Trailblazers who reflect the diversity of visions in documentary making, said Laurine Garaude, Reed MIDEM’s acting Director of the Television Division. The seven International Trailblazers 2009 are: • Marianna Kaat European Trailblazer selected by the European Documentary Network (EDN, Denmark). • Craig Matthew African Trailblazer selected by Encounters (South Africa) (Doxa Digitisation Project; Atlantic grantee) • Nahed Awwad Middle East Trailblazer selected by the Al Jazeera Documentary Channel (Qatar). • Robert Lang North American Trailblazer selected by the Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC). • Mark Hartley Australian Trailblazer selected by the Australian Film Institute (AFI). • Jeong Ook Lee Korean Trailblazer selected by the EBS International Documentary Festival (EIDF, Korea). • Ayumi Ito Japanese Trailblazer selected by the Association of All Japan TV Program Production Companies (ATP). Now in their fourth year, the International Trailblazers awards 2009 are supported by the Sundance Channel, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB/ONF), the Korean Broadcasting Institute (KBI), the Al Jazeera Documentary Network and the Australian Film Institute (AFI). Laura Michalchyshyn, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Sundance Channel said: We are constantly looking for original and surprising documentaries to share with our viewers. The Sundance Channel is continuing to work with the International Trailblazers as we want to encourage visionary and passionate directors and help their works be seen. The Al Jazeera Documentary Channel confirms its commitment to promoting independent directors and the International Trailblazers awards, added Ahmed Mahfouz Nouh, Documentary Channel Manager for the Al Jazeera Documentary Channel. We were so won-over by Middle East Trailblazer Nahed Awwad’s documentary that we decided to buy the film and to broadcast it on our Arabic and English-language channels. Directors and producers Rory Kennedy and Liz Garbus will present the awards to the seven Trailblazers during a ceremony on Sunday 29 March. A get-together with the Trailblazers on the theme of creativity and innovation will be held on Saturday 28 March and is open to all MIPDOC participants. The Trailblazers’ documentaries will be available for screening by buyers throughout MIPDOC. For biographies of the Internationals Trailblazers 2009 http://www.mipdoc.com/en-gb/trailblazers.cfm For the latest information about MIPDOC, go to www.mipdoc.com ABOUT REED MIDEM Founded in 1963, Reed MIDEM is a leading organiser of professional, international tradeshows. Reed MIDEM events have established themselves as key dates in professional diaries. The company hosts MIPTV, MIPDOC, MIPCOM, and MIPJUNIOR for the television and digital content industries, MIDEM for music professionals, MIPIM, MIPIM Asia, MIPIM HORIZONS and MAPIC for the property and retail real estate sectors. Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organiser, with over 470 events in 37 countries. In 2008 Reed brought together over seven million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organised by 38 fully staffed offices. Reed organises a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses and meetings. Its portfolio of over 470 events serves 44 industry sectors, including: Aerospace & aviation, automobiles, broadcasting, building & construction, electronics, energy, oil & gas, engineering, manufacturing, environment, food service & hospitality, gifts, healthcare, interior design, IT & telecoms, jewellery, life science & pharmaceuticals, machinery, medical education, printing & graphics, property & real estate, security & safety, sports & recreation, travel. For further information about Reed MIDEM visit www.reedmidem.com