It was recently announced that the BBC Grierson Trustees’ Award for 2015 is to be presented to Kim Longinotto!
In 2006 Kim Longinotto joined us in Belfast to collect the Belfast Film Festival’s Maysles Brothers Documentary Award for her groundbreaking documentary Sisters In Law.
One of Kim’s very early pieces of work was Cross and Passion (1981) an observational documentary made in Turf Lodge during one of the worst years of ‘the Troubles’. Throughout her career she has produced 15+ award winning documentaries.
A trailblazing documentary maker she has been directing documentaries since the late 1970s with a particular interest in the plight of women around the world. “Kim is a filmmaker like no other. In a genre still dominated by men, she holds a unique place in that world,” said Grierson Trust chairman Lorraine Heggessey. The Griersons are acknowledged as the Oscars of the documentary world. The Trustees’ Award recognizes outstanding contribution to the craft of documentary making. Previous winners include luminaries John Battsek, Penny Woolcock, Norma Percy, Nick Fraser, and Sir David Attenborough. Longinotto’s DREAMCATCHER features on the Grierson 2015 shortlist for Best Documentary on a Contemporary Theme – International.
DOC NYC will honor Kim Longinotto at the Visionaries Tribute on November 12 with the Robert and Anne Drew Award for Documentary Excellence. In addition,
DREAMCATCHER is selected for DOC NYC’s 2015 Short List Program! The DOC NYC Short List has a history of being a predictor of other awards, including the Oscars.