PBS SoCal Wins Two Golden Mike Awards®
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Jan. 25, 2016) – PBS SoCal was awarded two Golden Mike Awards® by the Radio & Television News Association of Southern California. Mia, a dancer's journey was recognized for Best Documentary, and Reporter David Nazar was recognized for Best Individual Writing, both in Division B. The honors were announced at the 66th Annual Golden Mike Awards Presentation Dinner on January 23.
The Best Documentary award is given to an individual or group for writing, production, and presentation of a single subject in a program of 30 minutes or more. Mia, a dancer's journey is the story of celebrated 20th century ballerina, Mia Slavenska. The film is voiced by Emmy® award-winning actress Blythe Danner and features a daughter's promise to tell her mother's story, which becomes a fascinating and moving reflection on historical memory, national identity, and the power of dance. The film first premiered in November of 2014 on PBS SoCal, and was then distributed to public television stations nationally. Mia, a dancer's journey was co-produced by Slavenska Dance Preservation, Inc., and PBS SoCal. The film is directed by Maria Ramas and Kate Johnson and produced by Maria Ramas, Kate Johnson, Brenda Brkusic and Ted Sprague.
The Best Individual Writing award is given to an individual for his or her writing on a news or feature story. Reporter David Nazar received the award for Best Individual Writing for his story Huntington Beach Desalination, which chronicles a battle between environmentalists and business interests over the process of desalination - turning salty ocean water into drinking water. Nazar spoke with the company which just built a desalination plant in Carlsbad and is now attempting to build another plant in Huntington Beach amid tremendous opposition. The episode was featured on PBS SoCal's weekly news and public affairs program Studio SoCal in October of 2014.
The Golden Mike Awards® are Southern California's most prestigious broadcast journalism prize awarded by the Radio & Television News Association of Southern California to promote excellence in broadcast journalism. The panel of judges consists of first-rate, experienced broadcast news professionals from top markets, stations, networks, bureaus, and universities across the country.
About PBS SoCal KOCE
PBS SoCal KOCE is the home to PBS for Greater Los Angeles and Southern California, dedicated to fostering a love of learning, culture and community using the power of public media. We deliver the full schedule of high-quality PBS programs, plus content that is for, about and by the people of Southern California. We make our content available for free through three broadcast channels-- PBS SoCal/KOCE-HD, PBS SoCal Plus and PBS SoCal World. It is also available anytime, anywhere at pbssocal.org, on our mobile apps, and via connected TV services. And we reach deep into the community through partnerships, events and grassroots outreach, providing early education resources and access to a broad array of arts and culture experiences. PBS SoCal has offices in Century City, Costa Mesa, and Los Angeles. Learn more at pbssocal.org and follow PBS SoCal on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.