Rogers State University Public Television’s award-winning documentary about Will Rogers has been named a finalist in the 2012 New York Festivals International Television and Film Awards.
Competing in the “Biography/Profiles” category, “Will Rogers and American Politics” is one of five documentaries in the competition, which includes entries from more than 40 countries. Also nominated in the category are: “E:60,” Mike Reeder, ESPN; “Injustice Files,” Investigation Discovery; “Ray Charles’ America,” A&E, and “World’s Untold Stories: Secret Jew,” CNN.
“Will Rogers and American Politics” is an in-depth look at how a rope-twirling, plain-talking Cherokee cowboy became one of the most powerful political voices in America. The production highlights Rogers’ influence and political power as revealed through the eyes and words of great Americans such as Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Mickey Rooney, former Cherokee Chief Chad Smith, comedian Lewis Black and many others.
Hours of rare archival film footage, 15,000 photos and 18,000 documents were carefully analyzed and screened with the most appropriate and poignant being incorporated into the production.
Tim Yoder served as producer and videographer for the documentary, Dan Schiedel, general manager of RSU Public Television, was executive producer, Geoffrey O’Gara, writer, Jessica Blythe Ammons, associate producer and Bryan Crain, music and graphics. Bill Kurtis, award-winning producer and journalist, narrated the documentary.
The New York Festivals Television and Films honors programming of all lengths dedicated to both the TV and film industries. Categories include: news, sports, documentary, reality, drama, feature films, telenovelas, webisodes, promo, music videos, corporate films, and animation.
Winners in each category will be recognized during an April 17 ceremony honoring “The World’s Best TV Programs & Films” at The National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas.
The Will Rogers documentary previously earned a Heartland Emmy this summer in the category of historical documentary.
More information is available at www.rsu.tv.