TRAVERSE CITY – A documentary by Northern Michigan filmmakers exploring the controversial topic of metallic sulfide mining in Michigan has won a 2009 Telly Award.
The bronze award in the documentary category was awarded to “Mining Madness, Water Wars: The Great Lakes in the Balance” – a film co-produced by Brauer Productions, Inc. and Summit Public Relations Strategies, LLC, for the National Wildlife Federation.
Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest film and video productions, and groundbreaking web commercials, videos and films. The Telly Awards receives over 13,000 entries annually from all 50 states and countries around the world.
Screened for audiences for the first time last November, “Mining Madness” is currently making the rounds of film festivals and screening events throughout the Midwest. The film was underwritten by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
The award represents the 12th Telly win for Brauer Productions, Inc, a Traverse City production company with more than 30 years of experience in the field of video production, television commercials and feature films. As co-producer and director of photography on “Mining Madness,” owner Rich Brauer is credited with capturing the beauty of the Upper Peninsula on video and creating the stirring visuals that contributed to the production’s impact. His team also edited the 33-minute program.
“It was a pleasure to work on this important piece, made even more gratifying by the Telly Award win. We pride ourselves in bringing the best production standards to every project, whether feature film, corporate video, commercial work, or, as in this case, documentary,” Brauer commented.
Sharing the award with Brauer Productions is Summit Public Relations Strategies, LLC, of Sault Ste. Marie. Owner Angela Nebel co-produced and directed the 2008 film.
“We set out to create a documentary film that explored this complex subject in a way that was informative, but also challenged the audience to think deeply about future impacts of mining in Michigan and around the Great Lakes,” Nebel explained. “Audience response indicates that people better understand the issue as a result of this film. The news of our Telly Award win is icing on the cake.”
National Wildlife Federation representative Michelle Halley praised and congratulated both filmmakers.
“Ms. Nebel led this project from start to finish, including wisely combining her vision for the film with the talents of the team at Brauer Productions. Speaking for National Wildlife Federation, we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of the film and the fact that both companies are being recognized for their outstanding accomplishment.”
For a list of future “Mining Madness, Water Wars” screening events or to watch the program online, visit NWF.org/greatlakes.
Speaking at the Indigenous Earth Summit in Marquette, Michigan, tribal vice chair Susan LaFernier expressed her great concern about the tribe’s future in the Ceded Territory if a proposed metallic sulfide mine is permitted to operate.
