Skip to main content

2011 Primetime Emmys go to DocuWeeks, DocuDay Alums

By IDA Editorial Staff


Last night at the 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards, the major headlines were made by Mad Men and Modern Family, which swept up significant victories for Fiction programming. The winners from the non-fiction categories were almost entirely overlooked by both the live broadcast and the popular media, but there were a few things that caught our eye over at IDA.

Namely, the fact that IDA Pare Lorentz Award finalist Gasland took home the statue for Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming. Directed by Josh Fox, Gasland explores “fracking” drilling technology and secrets, lies, and contamination brought on by Halliburton’s oil-extracting techniques. We’re proud to have a relationship with this great film, which also screened as a part of DocuDay back in February 2011.

We are proud to announce that 2010 DocuWeeks alum Freedom Riders took home three different Emmys last night, including Outstanding Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming, Outstanding Writing for Nonfiction Programming, and Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking. This story goes behind a courageous band of civil rights activists called Freedom Riders who in 1961 challenged segregation in the American South. From award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson, Freedom Riders features testimony from a fascinating cast of central characters: the Riders themselves, state and federal government officials, and journalists who witnessed the Rides firsthand.

We’re so proud of our strong relationships with these films, and hope that you’ll take the chance to become of fan of both Freedom Riders and Gasland on Facebook.

IDA offers a hearty CONGRATS to the big winners!