360 Vision earns first Gemini nomination
Multi-faith channel VisionTV garners record seven nominations for docs, current affairs and lifestyle shows

VisionTV's acclaimed current affairs series 360 Vision has earned its first Gemini Award nomination for Best News Information Series.

The nomination is one of seven handed out to VisionTV programs – a record number for Canada's multi-faith and multicultural broadcaster.

Launched in January 2003, 360 Vision is the only weekly current affairs program in the country that offers an in-depth examination of faith and spirituality in contemporary Canadian life. The other nominees in the News Information Series category are CBC News: Marketplace and the fifth estate .

Said Sadia Zaman, VisionTV's Director, In-House Production and Executive Producer of 360 Vision : “From the very beginning, Senior Producer John Scully and I have had the goal of making 360 Vision one of the best current affairs programs in Canada. The Gemini nomination is a tribute to the members of our small but dedicated team, who have laboured relentlessly to tell the kinds of stories no one else is reporting.”

The other VisionTV programs named as nominees for the 21 st Gemini Awards are:

•  Divine Restoration - Best Lifestyle/Practical Information Series.

This inspired makeover show helps congregations all over North America to revive and renovate rundown churches. Produced by VisionTV International. Season two of Divine Restoration premieres on Wednesdays, starting Oct. 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

•  The Fires That Burn: The Life and Work of Sister Elaine MacInnes – Best Biography Documentary Program.

This film retraces the spiritual journey of Sister Elaine MacInnes, a Roman Catholic nun from New Brunswick who has dedicated her life to teaching Zen meditation to men and women in prison. It was directed by Hilary Pryor, who co-produced with Garfield Lindsay Miller. Produced by The May Street Group Film, Video & Animation Ltd. in association with VisionTV.

•  The Naked Archaeologist – Best Host or Interviewer in a General/Human Interest or Talk Program or Series: Simcha Jacobovici.

Jacobovici, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, is the engaging, intrepid and occasionally irreverent host of this series, which explores the mysteries of Biblical archaeology. Produced by Associated Producers for VisionTV. Airs Wednesdays, starting Sept. 6, at 9 p.m. ET .

•  Secret Files of the Inquisition – Best Direction in a Documentary Series: David Rabinovitch / Best Photography in a Documentary Program or Series: Pieter Stathis.

This four-part docudrama recounts one of the darkest chapters in Christian history: the Inquisition's 600-year war on heresy. Produced by Inquisition Productions in association with VisionTV, France5, Insight, New Atlantis and Beyond International. VisionTV broadcast the North American premiere in February 2006, and airs an encore presentation on Thursdays, starting Nov. 9, at 10 p.m. ET.

•  Shrines and Homemade Holy Places – Best Direction in a Documentary Series: Michael McNamara.

This series profiles eccentric visionaries all over North America who have created fabulous homespun monuments and shrines to share their devotion with the world. Produced by Markham Street Films Inc. and VisionTV. Judy Holm is the Producer.

Said Bill Roberts, President and CEO of VisionTV: “Under the leadership of Chris Johnson, our Senior Vice President, Programming, VisionTV has undertaken to develop an array of original and inspirational new programs, and to expand the limits of ‘spiritual television.' We have introduced a new strand of lifestyle programs, invested in world-class documentary projects, entered into relationships with international partners and even made forays into drama.

“ Joan Jenkinson, VisionTV's Director of Lifestyle and Dramatic Programming, and Alberta Nokes , our Director of Documentary and Series Programming, have worked incredibly hard to make this happen, and I am thrilled to see this recognized. Their tremendous efforts, and those of the 360 Vision team, demonstrate the extraordinary level of quality that a small, independent service like VisionTV is capable of achieving.”