30 July 2014

 An S4C documentary, Gwirionedd y Galon: Dr John Davies (Truths of the heart: Dr John Davies) has been nominated on the shortlist for Grierson Awards, which recognises innovative documentary making.

The Grierson awards, is in its 42nd year, and regarded as the Oscars of documentary making. Gwirionedd y Galon: Dr John Davies is nominated in the best arts film category. The short list will be whittled down further in September, with final nominations announced on 16th September prior to the awards ceremony at The Queen Elizabeth Hall, London on 3 November.

Gwirionedd y Galon: Dr John Davies is a powerful documentary about one of the most prominent Welsh historians in recent years. Celebrating his 75th birthday, John reflects on his life, and gives an insight into the truths of his heart. We follow Dr John Davies for six days in Grangetown, Cardiff, Treorchy in the Rhondda and at his cottage in rural Ceredigion.

Lorraine Heggessey, Chairman of the Grierson Trust says “I'm delighted to announce the shortlist for the 2014 Griersons. We have an amazingly strong year with each category jammed with a variety of powerful, impactful and memorable films.”

The production team behind Gwirionedd y Galon: Dr John Davies was Telesgop, based in Swansea. Producer Dyfrig Davies says:

"I’m very proud of the team that worked hard on the film, from the commissioning, preparing, shooting, producer and editing, and I see the award as recognition of the greatness of Dr John Davies, as an historian and as a person. Receiving this nod is a fantastic feeling."

This isn’t the first time S4C has been nominated for an award outside of Wales. In autumn last year another documentary, Fy Chwaer a Fi, a Boom Pictures Cymru production, was awarded the World Gold Medal in the Human Interest category in the New York Festival.

Llion Iwan, S4C Content Commissioner says of the Grierson Awards nomination:

"This is a memorable portrait of one of our most prominent historians, Dr John Davies. The fact that it has been recognised by reaching the shortlist of the Grierson is a credit to the standard of the production. It’s also thanks to the vision of the director Dylan Richards, and it shows what we can deliver in Wales despite the cuts in our budget. We can still produce programmes that can compete with the best in the UK."