TWO UNITED NATIONS DOCUMENTARIES HONOURED AT WORLD MEDIA FESTIVAL IN HAMBURG, GERMANY

TWO UNITED NATIONS DOCUMENTARIES HONOURED AT WORLDMEDIA FESTIVAL

IN HAMBURG, GERMANY

Awards for Documentaries go to "Armed to the Teeth" and "Legacies of War"

The United Nations produced documentaries "Armed to the Teeth" and "Legacies of War" have received Gold and Silver awards respectively at the World Media Festival in Hamburg, Germany.

The World Media Festival is a global competition and gathering for media and communications professionals taking place today, 9 May 2001 in Hamburg, Germany.  Held last year for the first time, the event culminates with an award ceremony at which the United Nations produced documentaries will be recognized.

"Armed to the Teeth" received the Gold award in the Documentaries: Society and Social Issues category.  The documentary focuses on the widespread illicit trade and easy availability of small arms, especially the use among children.

The Silver Award in the Documentaries: Political Issues category was given to "Legacies of War", which examines the consequences of war on civilians such as the menace of landmines.  Both documentaries were produced and released last year by United Nations Television and Video, the broadcast production arm of the Organization's Department of Public Information.

The Department of Public Information produces a variety of programming on issues central to the work of the United Nations worldwide.  In addition to documentaries on a range of topics, UN Television produces "World Chronicle" a weekly current affairs programme taped at Headquarters featuring round-table discussions on topics of international concern by key UN officials, world-renowned experts and other well-known personalities.  The Department also produces the series "UN in Action" which feature over 50 short programmes (3-5 minutes) on a yearly basis presenting a wide scope of political, environmental, economic and social issues set against the backdrop of the Organization's work.

For further information about United Nations Television and Video programmes please contact Mr. Narendra Nandoe at (212) 963-1807 or nandoe@un.org.

To order "Armed to the Teeth" and/or "Legacies of War" please contact Eileen Sten at (212) 963-6939, fax (212) 963-6869 and e-mail sten@un.org.

Additional information and online ordering is available on the Internet at

www.un.org/av/tv