The IDA Documentary Awards announced today the nominees for its annual 29th edition dedicated to the art of documentary film. Among the nominees, there are two Latino projects: Viewfinder: Latin America (pictured) produced by Al Jazeera English nominated for Best Limited Series Award, and OME: Tales from a Vanishing Homeland by director Raul O. Paz Pastrana from the School of Visual Arts in New York City nominated for the David L. Woper Student Documentary Award.
Directed by by Manuel Contreras, Russ Finkelstein, Alfonso Gastiaburo, Juan Pablo Rojas, Paola Gosalvez, Luciana Freitas Silva, Susanna Lira, Fernanda Polacow and Juliana Borges, and produced by Rodrigo Vázquez and Patricia Boero, Viewfinder: Latin America is Al Jazeera’s documentary series that showcases independent filmmaking talent from the region. These films focus on the power of storytelling to bring about a deeper insight into the impact of global events on local communities. These are stories brought through the experiences of people on the front lines of a rapidly changing world.
Filmed in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon and directed by Mexican-American filmmaker Raul O. Paz Pastrana, OME: Tales From a Vanishing Homeland tells the story of the changing way of life of the Huaorani, one of Ecuador’s most isolated indigenous groups, who live in the Yasuni biosphere, the most biodiverse place on Earth. Ome offers incredible access to a unique and ancient way of life that highlights the Huaorani’s connection to land and family, and hints at the future that awaits as oil companies threaten to destroy Ome, their territory.
The winners of the 29th annual IDA Documentary Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Los Angeles on December 6, 2013.
