News : Documentary with local producer wins IMPA Award of Achievement

Documentary awardees: Brad Johnson and Cinematographer Rob Bauer.

The Iowa Motion Pictures Association awarded the producers of a new, still-in-production, documentary film about the new Midwest wine industry an Award of Achievement for “On the Road.”

“On the Road” is a companion web series from the producers of the documentary film, Wine Diamonds: Uncorking America’s Heartland. “On the Road” offers a fresh perspective on the world of wine by exploring the new frontier of wine that’s happening in the Midwest. This new web series has multifaceted purposes: to explore the burgeoning new Midwestern wine region by introducing wine enthusiasts to some of the most exciting wines and winemakers in the region; to inform and educate wine fans about delicious wines grown and made in the heartland and discuss, in informal terms, much of the wine jargon used today; all wrapped in a package that’s fun, lighthearted and entertaining.

The Iowa Motion Picture Awards recognize outstanding creative and technical achievement in Iowa’s moving image production industry, in all its forms – including 21 program categories and 26 craft categories – directing, acting, cinematography, lighting, screenwriting, art direction, editing – and many more.

This is the first award recognition for the producers of Wine Diamonds; however, in past years Kirk Monson and Jeff Zahrt have both won top honors for exceptional work in documentary film production, television commercial production, and earned special recognition for writing and cinematography.

The 24th Annual Iowa Motion Picture Awards was held on Saturday, May 2, 2015, at the historic renovated Pella Opera House Theater Center, 611 Franklin, Pella, Iowa.

“We are humbled by the early recognition for this important project and we are grateful for the IMPA honor; and happily send our appreciation to the winery families we’ve met and interviewed, and we wish to acknowledge our full team of amazing, dedicated and creative volunteers,” said producer Brad Johnson.

To view “On the Road” segments and learn more about this independent film project, visit: www.winediamondsfilm.com