The Rory Peck Awards tonight honoured the work of freelance cameramen and camerawomen in news and current affairs at a packed event hosted by Sky News special correspondent Alex Crawford and Channel 4 News International Editor Lindsey Hilsum and attended by international journalists and editors at Londons BFI Southbank. In a year that demonstrated in particularly stark terms the challenges faced by freelancers, the event showcased the best of their work and their importance to the international newsgathering community.
The Rory Peck Award for News was presented to 23 year old freelancer Pacme Pabandji from Central African Republic for CAR: Descent Into Chaos, broadcast by AFPTV. Pacmes footage of the conflict in his home country depicts both the violence that erupted there and glimpses of everyday life. He captures the daily atrocities committed in Bangui and other areas of the CAR as well as more innocent scenes such as a church service and a fashion show. The judges praised Pacmes ability to cast a dispassionate eye on a heated and dangerous conflict whilst living in its midst with one judge commenting that the conviction he must have to keep going to keep telling the story of his country is admirable.
The Rory Peck Award for Features was won by Team Mindeulle - a group of six anonymous North Korean cameramen - for North Korea: Life Inside the Secret State which was produced by Hard Cash Productions and broadcast by Channel 4 Dispatches and PBS Frontline. Filmed completely undercover and at immense risk, the team was trained during trips to China by the Japanese journalist Jiro Ishimaru. Their film provides an extremely rare glimpse into the inner workings of the worlds most secretive state where we see fascinating and eerie scenes of life there. Crucially, the film also hints towards signs of cracks in the regimes control with ordinary people standing up to authority: one woman challenging an official trying to stop her running a bus service, and another arguing about her right to wear trousers. Judges noted the enormous historical importance of the piece and the teams extraordinary bravery in risking their lives to tell this story.
The Sony Impact Award was presented to British freelancer Ben Steele for Hunted, produced by Blakeway Productions for Channel 4 Dispatches. Bens film explores the world of Russian vigilante gangs who, encouraged by recent anti-homosexual legislation, go on hunting safaris to catch, humiliate and abuse gay victims. Ben captures this world extremely close up; in one scene, he is present and continues filming in the small room where a young victim had been lured for a violent interrogation. A member of the gang tells Ben it would have been much worse for the victim if his camera had not been present. Judges praised Bens compassionate and non-judgmental approach as well as the films success in capturing the extraordinary atmosphere of homophobia in Russia. It had a massive impact when it was shown just before the Sochi winter Olympics raising awareness and triggering public debate.
This years Martin Adler Prize, sponsored by Hexagon, was awarded to Palestinian freelance journalist, fixer and translator Khaled Abu Ghali. The prize, now in its sixth year, honours a local freelancer who has made a significant contribution to newsgathering. The aim of the prize is to highlight the dedication and talent of freelancers who work under challenging and difficult circumstances within their own country. Khaled was awarded this prize in recognition of his professionalism, composure and unique skill as a journalist under even the most challenging of circumstances. He has covered many of Gazas most intense periods of conflict in his 14 year career, most notably in 2006, 2009, 2012, and Summer 2014 and has worked with, and contributed to, many of the worlds most prominent news outlets. Khaled is widely known among journalists for his invaluable breadth of knowledge, experience and skill and for his impartiality and professionalism, despite living with the personal impact of war. Channel 4 News Foreign Correspondent Jonathan Miller, who worked with Khaled during the most recent crisis in Gaza, said he assumed a critical journalistic role during that time, delivering top-level interviewees and supporting reporters and news teams in the field.
This years Rory Peck Awards finalists and winners have produced work of the highest quality at a time when freelancers are being targeted and silenced more than ever a testament to their sheer determination, skill and desire to bear witness and uncover otherwise untold stories said Tina Carr, Director of the Rory Peck Trust. Without their work, our understanding of the world we live in would surely suffer and for that they deserve our protection, recognition and support.
"Its a privilege to stand alongside this talented community who, reporting with compassion and integrity, fight against incredible odds to tell stories that simply cant be ignored, said Olivier Bovis, Head of Marketing AV Media and Solutions, Sony Professional Solutions, Sony Europe. At Sony, we strive to provide the tools which help in achieving this goal, and though the contribution we make is small in comparison, we are incredibly proud to do it. Once more we return to honour the impact freelancers and their work continues to make, and to support the important work of the Rory Peck Trust.
Most recent headlines
17/02/2025
TVBEurope talks to the team who brought a piece of broadcasting history back to life on BBC Wales last night
By Jenny Priestley
Published: February 14, 2025 ...
17/02/2025
Eligible studios will receive the relief directly from their local authorities, with no need to submit a claim
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 17, 20...
17/02/2025
As DEI initiatives come under pressure in the USA, supporters of Rise, which promotes diversity in the media and entertainment sector, discuss the continuing im...
17/02/2025
EIB Global loan will partially fund SES's continued O3b mPOWER medium earth orbit (MEO) fleet expansion enabling additional capacity worldwide. O3b mPOWER s...
15/02/2025
At Nielsen, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) play a critical role in nurturing a ...
15/02/2025
Innovation to empower creativity: Explore the latest in Lightroom
Rob Christensen February 15, 2025
0 Comments
Whether you want to remove distracting ...
15/02/2025
Wisycom, a worldwide leader in RF technology and provider of wireless solutions, announces a new distribution agreement with EQUAPHON. An Argentinian profession...
15/02/2025
DPA Microphones, the leading manufacturer of high-quality microphone solutions, is pleased to welcome Nicholas Nick Mariano and Vincent Vince Divine to the ...
15/02/2025
Tuxera, a leading provider of quality-assured file systems and networking solutions, will showcase how Tuxera Fusion SMB enables unprecedented performance for m...
15/02/2025
Bitmovin's latest Video Developer Report indicates an increasing role of AI, the slow adoption of next-generation codecs, and continuing challenges when it ...
15/02/2025
When Michelin Enterprises set out to promote its prestigious Hotel Guide in the new Sleepless in the Kitchen , campaign, veteran German/Slovenian gaffer Robert...
15/02/2025
Formula E, the world's first all-electric racing series, revolutionizing motorsport with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainability has sele...
15/02/2025
Agile Content, a global leader in TV and video technology solutions, announces its rebranding to AgileTV.
The transition to AgileTV stems from a commitment to ...
15/02/2025
Hiltron Communications will promote the latest additions to its range of satellite communication products, systems and supporting services at GovSatCom 2025. Th...
15/02/2025
Following the success of the original Airglow Booklight, DoPchoice debuts a new addition to their inflatable line the Float. This lightweight, inflatable, round...
15/02/2025
LAS VEGAS Marshall Electronics has announced that it will debut its newest camera controller, the RCP Plus, at the 2025 NAB Show at Booth N2649 between April 5 ...
15/02/2025
ATLANTA Gray Media has named Blake Sebo as the next general manager of KTUU and KYES, Gray's NBC and CBS affiliates in Anchorage, Alaska....
15/02/2025
KOKKEDAL, Denmark DPA Microphones will feature its new CORE+ technology for distortion-free microphone sound at the 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9, in Las Vegas....
15/02/2025
SWANSEA, U.K. QuickLink will launch StudioPro-NDI and StudioPro-3, two new models of its QuickLine StudioPro video production platform, at the 2025 NAB Show, Ap...
15/02/2025
Live From 2025 NBA All-Star Game Weekend: After 25 Years, Turner Sports All-In F...
15/02/2025
NASCAR Driver Cam on Max Embraces Cloud-Based Workflow for 2025 Season Chris Brown of WBD Sports says Mobii will play key part in delivering signals from the tr...
14/02/2025
Last month, we officially launched the Spotify Partner Program, a powerful new m...
14/02/2025
From an island off the coast of Lutruwita to the global stage in France SBS & ...
14/02/2025
The future of electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) land systems is evolving so that ...
14/02/2025
Here are 5 reasons why you should attend ISE 2025
Discover more about Calrec: Learn more about Calrec's legacy of innovation in broadcast audio solutions ...
14/02/2025
World Radio Day: On the same wavelength
By Graham Murray, International Sales Manager at Calrec
To mark World Radio Day, Calrec's International Sales Ma...
14/02/2025
DALLAS and TYSONS, Va. Tegna has concluded a broadcast rights agreement that makes Tegna's KFAA in Dallas the exclusive local television partner of the Dall...
14/02/2025
Amazon's Prime Video has released a new app for Apple TV that the streamer said delivers an improved streaming experiences with faster scrolling, improved s...
14/02/2025
CLEVELAND Telos Alliance announced a software update for its Axia Quasar XR and SR line of audio-over-IP (AoIP) mixing consoles and will show the offering at th...
14/02/2025
Puget Systems Returns to HPA Tech Retreat 2025 with New Analysis Tools for Puge...
14/02/2025
Glass Animals: Tour of Earth Uses Blackmagic Live Production Workflow
Brie Clayton February 14, 2025
0 Comments
80six deploys Blackmagic URSA Broadcas...
14/02/2025
A dispute between Paramount and Youtube TV that would have pulled CBS stations and Paramount's cable channels from the streaming service has been temporaril...
14/02/2025
Colourist Deidre (Dee) McClelland details how she helped shape the distinct look and feel of whimsical Oscar-nominated stop-motion film, Memoir of a Snail
By C...
14/02/2025
BitFire said it intends to introduce forward-looking services that simplify the launch of live production workflows, and enhance real-time collaboration
By Jen...
14/02/2025
The claim by the liquidators is the latest twist in the ongoing saga of the companys collapse at the end of 2021
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 14, ...
14/02/2025
A carriage dispute between YouTube TV and Paramount could come to a head today (Feb. 13), with the virtual pay TV provider threatening to pull all of the progra...
14/02/2025
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. LG Electronics USA has opened a new in-house, state-of-the-art virtual production studio at its 360,000-square-foot North American headqu...
14/02/2025
NEW YORK In a bid to help local broadcasters find new ways of monetizing their content, the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) and TVB have relea...
14/02/2025
WASHINGTON Three Democratic U.S. Senators have sent a stern letter blasting FCC Chair Brendan Carr for the weaponization of the agency for attacking broadcast...
14/02/2025
Years after launching the streaming service Apple TV+ in November of 2019, Apple has finally released a version of its steaming app for Android devices....
14/02/2025
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. Red Digital Cinema will make its V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X camera systems available with Nikon's premier Z Mount, providing filmmaker...
14/02/2025
DAYTONA, Fla. The Fox Sports production of this year's Daytona 500 will see the addition of a few new tech elements and the continued unfolding of the broad...
14/02/2025
Watch Bryson Battles Blind Audition on The Voice Get a Four-Chair Turn Michael Bubl said the Boston Conservatory at Berklee musical theater senior might have...
14/02/2025
2025 Daytona 500: FOX Sports Looks To Ride Super Bowl LIX Momentum Into NASCAR S...
14/02/2025
14 Feb 2025
VEON's Kyivstar and the Come Back Alive Foundation Raise USD 2....
14/02/2025
Max Renews THE PITT, Starring Noah Wyle, For A Second Season
Max
Warner Bros. Television Group
The Pitt
New Episodes Of The Medical Drama From John...
14/02/2025
This year, Technicolor proudly celebrates 110 years of shaping the magic of cinema pioneering color, visual effects, and innovation that bring unforgettable l...
14/02/2025
NBA All-Star: More Games, More Teams, More Music, More Sound From the Court Turner Sports' team will deploy familiar tech to capture all the audio By Dan D...
14/02/2025
LIV Golf Continues To Innovate With Drones, Data-Driven Graphics, and All-Access...
The Rory Peck Awards tonight honoured the work of freelance cameramen and camerawomen in news and current affairs at a packed event hosted by Sky News special correspondent Alex Crawford and Channel 4 News International Editor Lindsey Hilsum and attended by international journalists and editors at Londons BFI Southbank. In a year that demonstrated in particularly stark terms the challenges faced by freelancers, the event showcased the best of their work and their importance to the international newsgathering community.
