UN-produced documentaries take gold and silver awards at World Media Festival

Two 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.

"Armed to the Teeth," which focuses on the widespread illicit trade and easy availability of small arms, especially their use among children, received the Gold award in the Society and Social Issues category. The Silver Award in the Documentaries: Political Issues category was given to "Legacies of War," which examines the consequences of war on civilians.

Both documentaries were produced and released last year by UN Television and Video, the broadcast production arm of the Organization's Department of Public Information.

"We are delighted that the two documentaries have received this recognition," Stephen Whitehouse, chief officer of the UN Video Section, told the UN News Service. "We believe that there is a significant audience for programmes on important international issues. So it is particularly gratifying that an important venue such as the World Media Festival has honoured UN Television and Video in this way."

The World Media Festival, which was launched last year, is an annual competition and gathering for media professionals from all sectors of the communication business.