The WNED documentary THE ADIRONDACKS received a Spring 2009 CINE Golden Eagle Award, a national mark of excellence for filmmakers. The film was one of only two honored in the “People & Places” documentary category.

The two-hour program premiered nationally on PBS on May 14, 2008. It was produced, directed and written by Tom Simon of Working Dog Productions. WNED’s John Grant served as executive producer.

CINE, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit organization, recognizes and fosters the highest quality in non-theatrical film and video productions. Golden Eagle recipients are selected through a jury process similar to a peer review. For the spring competition, more than 300 jurors nationwide evaluated hundreds of entries. The winning films must meet rigorous standards for all creative and technical elements, including writing, visuals and sound.

“This recognition for THE ADIRONDACKS provides further evidence of WNED’s expanding role as a producer of quality programs for PBS,” said Grant.

“I am delighted that this award recognizes not only the great work done by the Working Dog and WNED production teams, but calls attention to the Adirondacks themselves, one of the great natural treasures of our nation,” said Simon.

THE ADIRONDACKS paints a rich and engaging portrait of life in upstate New York’s vast mountain park, where nature and people co-exist, and often clash. Season by season, the scenic, high-definition film highlights colorful characters; local traditions; and a contentious history.

Video and/or photography from the film will be displayed on CINE’s website (cine.org/golden-eagle-award.php); Facebook page (facebook.com/cinegoldeneagle); and annual yearbook.