FIAT/IFTA Award 2005

The New York's Museum of Television and Radio was the worthy location for the screening of the FIAT/IFTA Award shortlisted programmes. Strengthened by wine and cheese, nearly 180 delegates of the FIAT/IFTA's annual Conference have been watching the three extremely strong documentaries which had been preselected by the Programme & Production Commission jury, earlier in May, in Jerusalem.

The three shortlisted programmes were :

• Biografías. Neruda apasionado
  Produced by Patricia Bazan
  Canal 13, Chile
• From Switzerland with Sex and Love
  Produced by Eric Burnand
  Télévision Suisse Romande, Switzerland
• The power of nightmares. Part 1. Baby it's cold outside
  Produced by Adam Curtis
  BBC, UK

The representatives of all three shortlisted programmes, invited by FIAT/IFTA, were extremely delighted about the good atmosphere during the screening, which was still toped by the Award Celebration, combined with the farewell dinner of the FIAT/IFTA Conference. The celebration took place at the Estrela restaurant on the top of the Parker Meridien Hotel, which allows a magnificent view over Central Park and the skyline of Manhattan Upper West and East Side.

Karl Maier, the organizer of the Award, pointed out that New York would be the world city belonging to all who are able to live tolerance to other opinions, religions, cultures and nations, belonging to all, who enjoy the variety this world offers. "Variety and tolerance are also the corner pillars of the FIAT/IFTA Award", Karl Maier said. Highlight of the Award celebration, which was characterized by a very informal and relaxed mood, was the hand-over of the FIAT/IFTA Award 2005, done by FIAT/IFTA President Emmanuel Hoog.

The producer Adam Curtis, from BBC, represented by Stuart Robertson, won this worldwide unique competition with his contribution The power of nightmares : Baby, it's cold outside. Stuart Robertson was very touched and grateful in his short speech of thanks.

Stuart Robertson with Karl Maier and Emmanuel Hoog

During the celebration, the representatives of the second and third-placed productions, Miriam Salinas for Biografías : Neruda apasionado from Canal 13 (Chile), and Steven Artels for the TSR production From Switzerland with Sex and Love were honored. Karl Maier said, in this context, that the saying "the second is the first loser" would have nothing to do with these shortlisted programs, because all three of them were extremely strong.

A wonderful dinner provided with light Jazz Music and magic made this evening an unforgettable event.

Nominations

18 programmes have been nominated : Download the Nomination list