5 Broken Cameras wins the first Emmy for Palestine

5_Broken_Cameras

5 Broken Cameras took the prize for best documentary at the International Emmy Awards in New York this week.

Supported by WorldView, the film is a personal account of life and non-violent resistance in Bil’in, a West Bank village threatened with the building of a separation barrier. It was shot by Palestinian farmer Emad Burnat, who bought his first camera in 2005 to record the birth of his youngest son. Burnat captures the upheaval on a series of cameras, which are   destroyed in the struggles one by one – each one telling its own story.

Accepting the award, Emad Burnat said how much it meant to his people, and Palestine: “The purpose of making this film [was] to reach you and and to share my story with you and all the world.”

“We want what you want: peace and liberty,” he said.

5 Broken Cameras beat films from South Korea, New Zealand and Mexico to win the top documentary prize. The film was nominated for an Oscar for best international documentary this year.

Congratulations to Emad and the 5 Broken Cameras team!

View Emad Burnat’s acceptance speech