The Peabody Awards announced that the Independent Lens film Hale County This Morning, This Evening was honored with a Peabody in the Documentary category. We extend our heartiest congratulations to filmmaker RaMell Ross on this achievement. Hale County This Morning, This Evening is the 23rd Independent Lens film to be honored with a Peabody.
Ross’s critically acclaimed documentary, which was also nominated for an Academy Award, is a dreamy and intimate journey through the world of Hale County, Alabama, a richly detailed glimpse into life in America’s Black Belt.
“The effort to dehumanize Black people in our country is as old as our country. RaMell Ross’ exquisite Hale County This Morning, This Evening bears witness in images to the African American experience,” said Lois Vossen, Independent Lens executive producer. “It replaces stereotypes with visual poetry that respectfully and lyrically corrects how African Americans are represented and perceived in our society. Great art changes opinions, instills values, and translates experiences that affect our fundamental sense of self and each other — something we vitally need.”
A video gallery of this year’s Peabody Award winners accepting their award is online at peabodyawards.com/stories/story/peabody-30-winners. Adding to the virtual celebration, acceptance videos will also be shared on Peabody social platforms @PeabodyAwards. The awards ceremony, which was scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 18, 2020 in its new location at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles, was postponed due to the evolving Coronavirus outbreak.
The Peabody Awards honor the most powerful, enlightening and invigorating stories in television, radio and digital media. Each year, Peabody Awards are bestowed upon a curated collection of 30 stories that capture society’s most important issues — known as the Peabody 30. Honorees must be unanimously chosen by the Peabody Board of Jurors, a diverse assembly of industry professionals, media scholars, critics and journalists who each bring a unique perspective of what constitutes a story that matters.
UPDATE:
Watch a special PBS and Peabody Award roundtable discussion with 10 Peabody Award-winning documentary filmmakers, including RaMell Ross, here:
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