Two David Tennant Projects Nominated In Documentary Awards



The Grierson Trust have today released details of the shortlists for the Grierson 2013 British Documentary Awards in association with Sky Atlantic and Coutts. Two programmes featuring David Tennant are among the nominees.

The first part of the three episode wildlife documentary series Penguins: Spy In The Huddle, from John Downer Productions and narrated by David, is nominated for Best Science or Natural History Documentary:

Best Science or Natural History Documentary

  • The 2000 Year-Old Computer - Michael Beckham for Images First ; first shown: BBC Four

  • Africa: Kalahari - Hugh Pearson for BBC Natural History Unit; first shown: BBC One

  • Easter Eggs Live - Peter Fison, Robb Leech, Alex Tate, Slare Stronge for Windfall Films; first shown: Channel 4

  • How to Build a Bionic Man - Tom Coveney for Darlow Smithson Productions ; first shown: Channel 4

  • Kangaroo Dundee: Part 1 - Andrew Graham-Brown, Tom Mustill for AGB Films; first shown: BBC Two

  • Operation Iceberg: Birth of A 'Berg - Matt Barrett for BBC Productions/Co-pro with Discovery.; first shown: BBC Two

  • Order and Disorder: The Story of Energy - Nic Stacey for Furnace TV; first shown: BBC Four

  • Penguins - Spy in the Huddle: The Journey - Philip Dalton, John Downer for John Downer Productions; first shown: BBC One


Also, the documentary that David presented on Hamlet as part of the Shakespeare Uncovered series from Blakeway Productions has also been tipped for an award in the Best Arts Documentary category

Best Arts Documentary

  • Amy Winehouse - The Day She Came to Dingle - Maurice Linnane for South Wind Blows; first shown: BBC Four
  • Arena: aka Norman Parkinson - Nicola Roberts; first shown: BBC Four

  • Chopin Saved My Life - James Kent for Oxford Film & Television; first shown: Sheffield Doc/Fest

  • David Tennant on Hamlet - Nicola Stockley for Blakeway Productions and 116 Films ; first shown: BBC Two

  • Edwardian Insects on Film - John Holdsworth for Mentorn Scotland; first shown: BBC Four

  • Imagine: Theatre of War - Chris Terrill for Uppercut Films; first shown: BBC One

  • Imagine: The Fatwa - Salman's Story - Jill Nicholls for BBC; first shown: BBC One

  • Inside the Mind of Leonardo - Julian Jones for IWC Media (Leonardo) Limited and Handel Productions in association with History®, Sky Television and Vision TV


About the awards
The official build up to the 41st annual Griersons begins as The Grierson Trust announces the shortlist for the 2013 British Documentary Awards in association with Sky Atlantic and Coutts. Eight films are shortlisted in each of the 12 categories including two new categories for this year: ITN Source Best Documentary on Current Affairs and Documentary Presenter of the Year.

Dawn Airey, Chairman of the Grierson Trust says: “I’m delighted to announce the shortlist for the 2013 Griersons including our two new categories. This year in particular current affairs documentaries have shaken the world and our category shortlist reflects the films and the themes that have become some of the most talked about issues of the year. I anticipate that this new category will be one of the toughest for our jury to judge.

“And when making a presenter fronted film, we all know that a dynamic, engaging personality with an in-depth knowledge of the subject and the ability to communicate that to viewers is the key to its success. The shortlist for our new Documentary Presenter of the Year award features eight individuals who make their documentaries compelling and insightful viewing.

“Overall, the shortlist contains some of the most high profile television of 2012/13, flanked by some little known gems and the early blossoming of young student directors alongside the latest tour de force from the world’s best known directing talent. The Griersons are regarded as the Oscars of documentary making. Winning a Grierson is an honour for film makers from across the globe, as their dedication, style and wit - the hallmarks of brilliant documentary making – are recognised and celebrated by their peers. Our judges now face a summer of deliberation and debate and I look forward to announcing the final nominations in the autumn.”

Final nominations will be announced on 17 September prior to the star-studded award ceremony at The Queen Elizabeth Hall, London on 4 November.



Thanks to The Grierson Trust

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