TORONTO — Accessible Media Inc.’s original documentary No Vacancy: Vancouver’s Housing Crisis has been shortlisted for a MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Award in the Representation of Disability – Non-Scripted category, AMI announced Thursday.
In No Vacancy: Vancouver’s Housing Crisis, reporter Grant Hardy investigates the impact of Metro Vancouver’s housing crisis on people with disabilities and how it is challenging city planners, architects and governments. Through tenants such as Johnny Tai, who is blind, and Eric Boisvert, who has multiple sclerosis, viewers learn the real struggle faced by Canadians living in Vancouver. In the documentary, Hardy also explores the solutions being tested to help address the crisis.
“I am honoured that MIPCOM has recognized No Vacancy: Vancouver’s Housing Crisis,” said Michelle Dudas, senior producer at AMI, in a news release. “The shortage in housing for individuals with disabilities has reached crisis proportions. No Vacancy: Vancouver’s Housing Crisis is a raw and in-depth look at the personal struggles faced by real people, but their challenges are felt by members of the disability community worldwide. Audiences need to be aware before they can evoke change. We would like to start that conversation.”
The MIPCOM 2019 Diversity and Inclusion Programme features industry experts and major talent who are speaking out to not only create more opportunities for diverse talent, but to demonstrate the positive impact of diversity across the global media landscape.
In its third year, the programme includes high-level networking events and the MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards, honouring inclusive content that impacts and inspires audiences around the globe. The awards ceremony will take place on Monday, October 14, at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes, France.
No Vacancy: Vancouver’s Housing Crisis is one of three documentaries to be selected by MIPCOM as finalists in the Representation of Disability – Non-Scripted category. The documentary can be streamed on demand on AMI.ca or by using the free AMI-tv App for iOS and tvOS.
AMI is a not-for-profit media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. Operating three broadcast services, AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French, AMI’s vision is to establish and support a voice for Canadians with disabilities, representing their interests, concerns and values through accessible media, reflection and portrayal.
