United States Agency for Global Media

Springfield, VA. — The New York Festivals TV and Film Awards announced its 2020 finalists and Alhurra Television was recognized in five categories for its excellence in broadcasting and design. The categories include: Best Investigative Report, Best News Analysis/Commentary, Best Documentary—Human Concerns, Best Use of Technology and Best Animation. The first nominated program is an Alhurra Investigates episode uncovering how Yazidi children are being sold on the black market. Named a finalist for Best Investigative Report and Best Documentary—Human Concerns, It shows how Yazidi families need to pay exorbitant amounts of money to hire fixers to scour for children in the IPD and refugee camps. Unfortunately, even if a family member is found, many times the price is too steep to get them back. The program also uncovered the latest tragedy in the human trafficking of Yazidi children once held by ISIS, selling them for their organs. A Debatable episode on Judaism’s influence on Islam was selected as a finalist for Best News Analysis/Commentary. The program unveiled the areas of influence between Judaism and Islam and raised the topic of whether Islam was strongly influenced by Judaism in its fundamental religious outlook, structure, jurisprudence and practice.

Alhurra’s Creative Services team was short-listed in the categories of Best Use of Technology and Best Animation for their work using augmented reality. On Columbus Day the team used augmented reality to inform its audience in the Middle East about Columbus’s voyage to the “New World” and the history of U.S. exploration advancement throughout the years. The second augmented reality video was created when the F-35 fighter jets started being used in military operations there was a lot of interest in them and to understand their capabilities. Alhurra created a fighter jet through augmented reality and brings the viewers along for the ride.

“Alhurra Investigates and Debatable are highlighting topics not normally discussed in the Arabic media, but these stories need to be told. While augmented reality adds a new element to storytelling to make it engaging for the viewers,” stated MBN President Amb. Alberto Fernandez. MBN manages and oversees Alhurra. “I am extremely proud of the work of the entire Alhurra team. Being selected as a finalist in various categories shows the wide range of talent, dedication and professionalism of our journalists and creative staff.”

The winners will be announced in Las Vegas on April 21st. New York Festivals Television and Film Awards honors content in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries. It embraces all aspects of the Television and Film industries, categories mirror today’s global trends and encourage the next generation of story-tellers and talent.

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