(TibetanReview.net, Oct22, 2014) – Independent jurists on Oct 18 presented in Berlin the first prize of the “Snow Lion” award instituted by the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) Germany to Filmmakers and authors Thomas Weidenbach and Shi Ming for their documentary “Struggle for Tibet”. The documentary is a compelling film which reveals the strategic significance of Tibet to the Chinese leadership, said ICT Germany Oct 20. The award recognizes excellence in independent reporting on Tibet.
Those who attended the ceremony included senior correspondents; writers, including Chinese dissident Liao Yiwu, and supporters of ICT. Prominent Chinese journalist Chang Ping, former chief commentator of the ground-breaking newspaper Southern Weekend who now lives in Germany addressed the gathering. He was forced to leave China and Hong Kong for his work and spoke about the dangers of reporting on China due to government restrictions and China’s reach to the outside world with the creation of new media outlets.
The runner-ups and winners of the Second Prize were German journalists Doreen Fiedler (“A people in exile: Tibetans and their struggle”, German Press Agency DPA) and Diana Francovic (“Journey through a quiet country”, rbb Kulturradio).
The jurors for the ‘Snow Lion’ awards were German journalists Eva Corell and Andreas Lorenz and German actor, filmmaker and author Hannes Jaenicke. The jury also gave a research grant of 2,000 Euro. German author Klemens Ludwig received an honorary mention for his piece “Humble and generous” (Südwind Magazin).
German actress Inés Burdow read a moving piece by Beijing-based Tibetan writer Ms Tsering Woeser about her period under house arrest after she spoke to a German journalist in Lhasa.
The ceremony was presented by German journalist Thomas Franke.