Jury Announced for PUMA.Creative Impact Award 2012

AsiaNet 49143

LONDON, Apr. 26/ PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

     Today PUMA.Creative and the BRITDOC Foundation announced the jurors for

the PUMA.Creative Impact Award 2012. The jury consists of Hollywood actors and

activists, Danny Glover and Djimon Hounsou; director, Mira Nair; writer and

campaigner, Jemima Khan; and Executive Director of Greenpeace International,

Kumi Naidoo.

     The second annual PUMA.Creative Impact Award, which honours the

documentary films creating the most significant impact in the world today,

comes with a cash prize of 50,000 euros which acknowledges the film's makers

and also helps the continuation of the film's campaigning work.

     "This award is part of PUMA's ongoing commitment at the intersection of

film and activism, and is in line with our mission to contribute to a better

world," said Mark Coetzee, Programme Director, PUMAVision and Chief Curator,

PUMA.Creative, "a world that is safer, more peaceful, and more creative than

the one we know today."

     In 2011 the Award went to the team behind The End of the Line, an

environmental documentary on the overfishing of the world's oceans. That year

the jury also awarded a special Jury Commendation-with a 25,000 euro prize-to

the makers of Burma VJ, about the 2009 Burmese uprising and the video

journalists who risked their life to report on it.

     "Thanks to PUMA.Creative for making this important initiative possible.

Together we want to identify and honour the filmmakers having the biggest

effect with their work and to inspire others the world over to use the power of

storytelling to bring about lasting improvements to society and the planet,"

said Jess Search, Chief Executive, BRITDOC Foundation. "I can't wait to see who

this year's outstanding nominees are going to be."

     The Call for Entries for the 2012 PUMA.Creative Impact Award is now open.

Submissions close on May 11, 2012. Anyone can put a film forward from any

country-filmmakers, distributors, film festivals, partner organisations

including NGOs and Foundations, film critics and journalists. Films can be put

forward any time up to three years after release.

     The 2012 PUMA.Creative Impact Award Jury represents the worlds of film,

the arts, academia, social change and journalism.

     The BRITDOC Foundation will assess the applications and produce a

shortlist for consideration by an international Peer Review Committee

including: Diana Barrett at Fledgling Fund; Heidi Gronauer at EsoDoc; Yvette

Alberdingk Thjim at Witness; Wendy Levy at Tomorrow Partners; Willie McKenzie

at Greenpeace International; Jamie Drummond at One.org; Pam Harris at Iris

Films; and Sharon LaCruise at the Ford Foundation. Five finalists will emerge

from this consultation period, which will be presented to the PUMA.Creative

Impact Jury to assess the merits of the films, evaluate relative impact and

announce an overall winner.

     Filmmakers interested in applying for the PUMA.Creative Impact Award 2012

should go to:

    http://www.britdoc.org/impactaward

Editors' Notes:

     For bios of the jurors, more information and to download images, please

visit:  http://puma.digitalnewsagency.com/

     CONTACTS: Elise McCave

               BRITDOC Foundation

               elise@britdoc.org

               +44(0)798-098-6862;

               Marlene Ringel

               PUMA.Creative

               marlene.ringel@puma.com

               +49(0)913-281-3134

      SOURCE:  PUMA.Creative and BRITDOC Foundation