Three AIB Awards for Channel 4 News and Current Affairs

7 November 2013

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Channel 4 News and Current Affairs scooped three awards at last night’s prestigious Association for International Broadcasting Awards. 

Now in their ninth year, the annual international broadcasting awards celebrate the best in radio, TV and transmedia – programmes, technology and talent.

Walking Wounded: Return to the Frontline was awarded the International current affairs TV documentary.  This film follows Giles Duley's return to Afghanistan as he undertakes his first major photographic assignment since an IED explosion left him a triple amputee. 

Judges described the documentary as "brilliant documentary, a unique, personal and moving film with exceptional photography and editing."

It was an exceptional night for photographer Giles Duley, who also received an AIB founders Award and a standing ovation following his inspirational discussion with host Simon Spanswick. 

Channel 4’s Syria Across the Lines won the Middle East documentary category.  The film, directed by Olly Lambert, explored the huge human cost of the on-going conflict and was praised for it’s "brave, sensitive and comprehensive filmmaking."

The Hunt for Britain’s Sex Gangs – Channel 4 Dispatches  scooped the Awards for Investigative documentary.  With unprecedented access  to a live police investigation, the film shows just how difficult it is to secure justice for victims of sexual abuse, especially when some girls were just 11 when they were first abused.

Judges described the documentary - directed by Anna Hall and produced by Truevision – as “brave examination of a complex subject that never flinches from searching for the truth."

Siobhan Sinnerton, Channel 4’s News and Current Affairs Commissioning Editor, says:  “Both ‘The Hunt for Britain’s Sex Gangs’ and ‘Syria: Across the lines’ were very demanding and complex films to make and we are delighted that the teams behind them have been recognised for their talent and determination in bringing these important subjects to public attention in such a compelling way.  We were also thrilled to see Giles Duley not only receiving an award, but a well-deserved standing ovation from everyone in the room.”The AIB awards topped off an excellent week for Channel 4 after the broadcaster received three Grierson Documentary Awards on Monday for outstanding factual film-making.  

Established in 1993, the Association for International Broadcasting is a non-profit, non-government, industry association founded to represent, promote and assist its members. It currently has a membership of over 50 companies in around 30 countries, including major broadcasters serving audiences of hundreds of millions of people each week.