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Documentary on fight to save Congo mountain gorillas wins two One World Media awards

By Rushabh Haria

British-made documentary – Virunga, Grain Media – picked up two prizes at the One World Media Awards.

The film, directed by Orlando von Einsiedel (pictured above left), tells the story of efforts to protect the world's last mountain gorillas in the Congo from war, poaching and the threat of oil exploration.

Other winners included The Observer New Review's Tim Adams, for his interview with Kenyan author Binyavanga Wainaina; the creators of BBC Panorama's documentary "Ebola: The Frontline" and the editorial team of Egyptian local newspaper Welad ElBalad for their successful reporting in a difficult and dangerous climate for journalists.

ITV's report on Iraqi Army efforts to save Yazidis stranded on a mountaintop from Islamic State militants won the news prize.

Channel 4 presenter John Snow was joined by a number of guest hosts to present the 27th One World Media Awards last Thursday, held at the BAFTA headqauarters in Piccadilly.

The One World Media Awards describes its mission as "supporting strong vibrant and independent media that empowers citizens, promotes justice and contributes to international development".

Channel 4 News correspondent Guillermo Gaidos was named international journalist of the year for the second year running.

Full list of winners:

Television Award – sponsored by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Silent River, SplitFrame Media

Documentary Award – sponsored by Bertha Foundation

Virunga, Grain Media & Violet Films

Radio Award

Afghan Women: Speaking Out, Losing Lives, BBC Radio 4 & BBC World Service

News Award

The Desperate Struggle to Save Iraq's Yazidis – John Irvine, ITV News

Corruption Reporting Award – sponsored by Transparency International

Virunga, Grain Media & Violet Films

New Voice Award

Freelance Katerina Vittozzi

Women’s Rights in Africa Award – sponsored by African Development Bank

Casablanca Calling, Redbird

Popular Features Award

Panorama: Ebola Frontline, Blakeway Productions for BBC

International Journalist of the Year Award

Guillermo Galdos of Channel 4 News

Digital Media Award – sponsored by Google

Pirate Fishing, Altera Studio for Al Jazeera English

Refugee Reporting Award – sponsored by British Red Cross

Evaporating Borders, Ivaasks Films

Press Award

Tim Adams’ article Out in Africa: Why the Kenyan author Binyavanga Wainaina has spoken out about being gay in Observer New Review

Short Film Award

Bruce Lee – King of the Sewers, Ecostorm for Channel 4 News

Student Award

Julia Dahr, Goldsmiths University of London for KISILU: I’ll Start With Myself

Special Award

Welad ElBalad, based in Egypt

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