Knowledge Network Originals wins big at 2021 Leo Awards

Vancouver, BC (July 9, 2021) - Search and Rescue: North Shore and Haida Modern, both Knowledge Network Original commissions, took home a collective of four Leo Awards on Tuesday night, excelling in the documentary category. Search and Rescue: North Shore won Best Series, Best Direction and Best Musical Score for a Documentary Series, while Haida Modern was awarded Best Feature Length Documentary.

Search and Rescue: North Shore follows the courageous volunteer members of North Shore Rescue (NSR) as they come to the aid of those who underestimate the rugged mountains and forests of North Vancouver. The five-part series left audiences on the edge of their seats with the team’s gravity-defying rescues serving as reminders of the importance of outdoor safety education.

"It's a true honour for our entire crew who poured their hearts into this production.” said Grant Baldwin, director of Search and Rescue: North Shore. “We are grateful to Knowledge for supporting the project right from the spark of an idea and to the North Shore Rescue members who allowed us into their lives."

Haida Modern tells the life story of Indigenous artist Robert Davidson from a humble beginning in the village of Masset, Haida Gwaii, to international renown in the world of contemporary art. Like his mentor, the legendary artist Bill Reid, Davidson is well-known for his distinctive post-modern style and impeccable carving technique.

“Producers Tina Schliessler, Kevin Eastwood and I are so proud to share this honor with our friends at Knowledge Network.” said Charles Wilkinson, director of Haida Modern. “The award is a testimony to the amazing work of visionary Robert Davidson.”

Telling the stories that have shaped British Columbia has long been a priority for Knowledge Network but especially this year. On January 12, 2021, the province’s public broadcaster celebrated their 40th anniversary, marking four decades of entertaining and educating British Columbians of all ages and backgrounds. The achievements of Search and Rescue: North Shore and Haida Modern demonstrate the high quality of Knowledge Network’s repertoire of original programming.

“Forty years have provided us with plenty of time to hone our expertise in presenting some of the best documentaries, dramas, and children’s programming in the world.” said Rudy Buttignol, President & CEO of Knowledge Network. “We envision a future for Knowledge Network that will continue to present stories that reflects British Columbia’s diversity.”

Search and Rescue: North Shore and Haida Modern are both available to stream for free on www.knowledge.ca as well as on the Knowledge Network app, available on iOS, Android, Apple TV and Roku.