‘Employable Me’
Northern Pictures’ ABC series Employable Me has won two gold medals at the New York Festivals International TV and Film Awards, which celebrate outstanding screen content from around the world.
The first series won the 2019 United Nations Department of Public Information Gold Award, chosen in collaboration with New York Festivals to honour programs that best exemplify the aims and ideals of the United Nations.
Series 2, which is now screening on ABC and iview at 8.30 pm on Tuesdays, received the festivals’ Gold World Medal for Documentary for its exploration of social issues affecting people with neuro-diverse conditions as they search for employment.
It follows the stories of nine people with disabilities including autism spectrum disorder, Tourette Syndrome, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, dwarfism and Down Syndrome as they battle to find work.
Cian O’Clery is the series director with Jenni Wilks as the series producer and Karina Holden as the executive producer.
Stephen Oliver, ABC commissioning editor, factual, said: “We are proud that Employable Me is having such an impact internationally and showing a mainstream audience that when we see the ability rather than just the disability, it is good for both the individual and society. The incredibly dedicated team at Northern Pictures have done an outstanding job making content that is important and compelling.”
Rose Anderson, New York Festivals’ VP/executive director, said: “Since 1990, New York Festivals has partnered with the United Nations Department of Public Information on a special award on issues of importance to the UN. Employable Me goes to the heart of what the work of the UN is all about – improving people’s lives.”
The series has received numerous awards in Australia and internationally including:
AACTA Awards 2018: Best Documentary or Factual Program
Venice Television Awards 2018: Best Reality Series
Japan Prize 2018: Audiovisual Division (Lifelong Learning Prize)