Employable Me awarded in New York

ABC documentary Employable Me has won two gold medals at the New York Festivals International TV & Film Awards.

The first won the 2019 United Nations Department of Public Information Gold Award, chosen in collaboration with New York Festivals to honour exceptional programs that best exemplify the aims and ideals of the United Nations.

Series 2 also won the Gold World Medal for Documentary for its exploration of social issues affecting people with neuro diverse conditions.

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’ Vice-President and 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. They are determined by a blue-ribbon panel of experts at the United Nations. The Global Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. Employable Me goes to the heart of what the work of the UN is all about – improving people’s lives.”

Employable Me is produced by Northern Pictures for the ABC under its commitment to bring diverse stories, including those about people with disabilities, into focus. The second series of Employable Me – which was financed by Screen Australia and the NSW Department of Industry in association with Create NSW and the ABC – is now showing on ABC TV and iview.

8:30pm Tuesdays on ABC.