Congratulations to Stephanie Wang-Breal, whose Tough Love aired on POV last season, and to Elizabeth Rohrbaugh, whose The Perfect Victim aired last year on America ReFramed, for being named finalists by The American Bar Association for the 2016 Silver Gavel Awards for Media and the Arts in the television category! The award recognizes outstanding work that fosters the American public’s understanding of law and the legal system. Last year, Nadine Pequeneza’s 15 to Life: Kenneth’s Story (POV 2014)—the story of Kenneth Young, who at age 15 received four consecutive life sentences for a series of armed robberies—won Silver Gavel’s Honorable Mention for Documentaries. For a full list of this year’s finalists, click here. The winners will be announced on May 11.

Tough Love is a heartfelt chronicle of two parents—one in New York City and one in Seattle—who lost custody of their children to Child Protective Services, and are fighting to win back the trust of the courts to reunite their families.

The Perfect Victim is the story of four incarcerated women who were beaten, raped, sold, abused and nearly killed by their husbands. Collectively, they spent over eighty-five years in Missouri State prison each serving life sentences, convicted for having killed their husbands to save their lives. With the help of impassioned lawyers and law students, they begin a decade and a half long quest to secure their freedom.

Best of luck to both films!

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POV Pressroom
Produced by American Documentary, Inc., POV is public television’s premier showcase for nonfiction films. Since 1988, POV has been the home for the world’s boldest contemporary filmmakers, celebrating intriguing personal stories that spark conversation and inspire action. Always an innovator, POV discovers fresh new voices and creates interactive experiences that shine a light on social issues and elevate the art of storytelling. With our documentary broadcasts, original online programming and dynamic community engagement campaigns, we are committed to supporting films that capture the imagination and present diverse perspectives.