2005 Deborah Fletcher Award of Excellence in Filmmaking on International Development

Storyline Entertainment Inc. is this year's winner of the Deborah Fletcher Award of Excellence in Filmmaking on International Development for the film Shipbreakers.

Shipbreakers is a riveting documentary film about a community of 40,000 migrant workers at the world's largest shipbreaking yard in Alang, India. Shipbreaking is the ultimate recycling operation. It is also one of the most dangerous and toxic jobs known. The film examines the industry's reputation and economic livelihood, the health and rights of workers, the lack of safety, and the environmental impacts.

Storyline Entertainment Inc. is a Toronto-based producer of documentaries and non-fiction programming for television.

Shipbreakers is produced by Ed Barreveld, directed and co-produced by Michael Kot, both from Storyline Entertainment Inc. The film was co-produced with Peter Starr, from the National Film Board of Canada.

The award was presented at a screening event on March 31, 2005, in Ottawa. The film was selected by the jury for its insight, creativity, and exceptional production values. The jury noted the innovative narrative approach used to tell a story that is not well known worldwide.


The jury gave honourable mention to Into the Light by director Peter Raymont (White Pine Pictures) for its compassion and insight into telling a touching story about the work of Canadian ophthalmologists and nurses working on board the ORBIS flying eye hospital.

Three other films were nominated in 2005 for the Deborah Fletcher Award:

Inside Your Threads - Much Music
Chaos, Chords and Karma - In Sync Video
Digital Divide - Primitive Entertainment Inc.

For more information, consult the Deborah Fletcher Award webpage.