Two ITVS Films Garner Peabody Awards

Contact: Tiffany Woolf, 415.356.8383, ext 250, tiffany_woolf@itvs.org 

Randall Cole, 415.356.8383, ext 254, randall_cole@itvs.org 

(San Francisco)--The Independent Television Service (ITVS), celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2006, announced today that two of its acclaimed films were among the winners of the George Foster Peabody Awards for 2006. The Peabody Awards are the oldest and one of the most prestigious honors in electronic media. 

CHISHOLM '72: Unbought and Unbossed by Shola Lynch and Phil Bertelsen, and A ROOM NEARBY by Paul and Sandra Ferlinger were chosen to be among the 32 programs honored. The Peabody website describes CHISHOLM '72 as "Not just a lively remembrance of Shirley Chisholm, the United States' first female presidential candidate, this documentary is also a thoughtful analysis of the viability of third-party candidates." A ROOM NEARBY is described as "five people's tales of their lonely lives become the soundtracks for idiosyncratic animated vignettes. Peabody board members called it "a beautiful gift." Both films will receive awards at the 65th annual Peabody Awards ceremony on June 5, 2006 in New York City, hosted by comedian Jon Stewart. 

The two films being honored for 2006 brings the grand total of ITVS Peabody Awards to nine since opening its doors in 1991. "We could not be more proud of the amazing accomplishments of all our filmmakers," said Judy Tam, ITVS Vice-President and CFO. "It is wonderful to see their hard work, determination and artistic vision recognized by such a prestigious award." 

CHISHOLM '72: Unbought and Unbossed chronicles Brooklyn Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm who ran for the Democratic Party nomination for president in 1972. As the first black woman to do so, her candidacy puzzled and inspired Americans, attracting both vicious attacks and surprising support. CHISHOLM '72 follows the campaign trail adventures of this charismatic woman who fought to join the alienated with the mainstream and to expand the possibilities of American politics. The film was produced by Chisholm for President '72, Inc., in association with the Independent Television Service, and in association with National Black Programming Consortium with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The program was a presentation of the acclaimed PBS series, P.O.V., where it had its broadcast premiere in February 2005. 

A ROOM NEARBY asks the question, "Can loneliness make you happy?" Blending intimate interviews with distinctive animation, A ROOM NEARBY gives voice to five culturally dissimilar people as they reflect on the process and unexpected revelations of loneliness. The film was produced by AR&T Associates. Executive producer was the Independent Television Service, with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The program had its national PBS broadcast premiere in March 2005. 

About NBPC 

The National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC) is a non-profit national media arts organization committed to the presentation, funding, promotion, distribution and preservation of positive images of African Americans and the African Diaspora. NBPC sets the standard for and is one of the leading providers of historically accurate programming about the African American experience on American public television. More information is available online at www.nbpc.tv. 

About P.O.V. 

Produced by American Documentary, Inc. and now in its 19th season on PBS, the award-winning P.O.V. series is the longest-running showcase on television to feature the work of America's best contemporary-issue independent filmmakers. Airing Tuesdays at 10 PM, June through October, with primetime specials during the year, P.O.V. has brought nearly 250 award-winning documentaries to millions nationwide, and now has a Webby Award-winning online series, P.O.V.'s Borders. Since 1988, P.O.V. has pioneered the art of presentation and engagement using independent nonfiction media to build new communities in conversation about today's most pressing social issues. More information about P.O.V is available online at www.pbs.org/pov. 

About ITVS 

The Independent Television Service (ITVS) celebrates its 15th Anniversary in 2006. ITVS is a leading funder and presenter of award-winning documentaries and dramas on public television, innovative new media projects on the Web, and the Emmy Award-winning weekly series Independent Lens on Tuesday nights at 10 PM on PBS. 

ITVS is a "miracle" of public policy envisioned by media activists, citizens and politicians seeking to foster plurality and diversity in public television. In support of their idea, Congress mandated the creation of independently produced programs that take creative risks, spark public dialogue and represent underserved audience and provided funding to build ITVS. Since ITVS opened its doors in 1991, its programs have revitalized Americans' relationship to public television, bringing television audiences face-to-face with the lives and concerns of their fellow citizens. More information about ITVS can be obtained by visiting itvs.org. ITVS is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.