amazing what you find on the internet. packed in a box somewhere are all of the trade magazines that featured this photo. my first documentary of found footage on the Haitian refugee crisis focusing racist policy of how the U.S. forcibly returned those seeking political asylum after the democratically elected president Jean-Bertrand Aristide was illegal removed from office.
at the time, i was just a TV major at Columbia College concerned with the social issues of the day. it won 1st place in the documentary category, my first ever documentary clocking in just under 23 minutes - edited on a Sony RM-450 linear controller, cuts only - for all my fellow TV geeks.
there were 7 categories in all - 3 film, 4 music. news of my win was well received by my alma mater and by the Haitian community with the Chicago Haitian Consulate Generals office hosting a screening and reception for me before I could collect my prize. Sony Corp. flew all of us to New York for the awards ceremony at Lincoln Center presented by Louis Gossett Jr. and Nancy Wilson.
please check my fellow Innovator, saxophonist Teodross Avery who won the Jazz Prize that same year. in addition to his mind-blowing solo work, his credits include playing for Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse and Leela James.
click the link or scroll down to see the entire photo
my Sony Innovator Award photo in Billboard Magazine
