Third Annual Cinema Eye Honors
Circa 2010

The Cinema Eye Honors for Nonfiction Filmmaking recognize and honor exemplary craft and innovation in nonfiction film. Cinema Eye’s mission is to advocate for, recognize and promote the highest commitment to rigor and artistry in the nonfiction field.
This was its website for the 2010 Awards.
Content is from the site's 2010 archived pages as well as other outside sources.

The Cinema Eye Honors for Nonfiction Filmmaking recognize and honor exemplary craft and innovation in nonfiction film. Cinema Eye’s mission is to advocate for, recognize and promote the highest commitment to rigor and artistry in the nonfiction field.

Cinema Eye Honors 2010
15 January 2010, 8pm
NYTimes Center
242 West 41st Street
New York, NY 10036

 

The first "Cinema Eye Honors" were presented at the IFC Center in New York City on March 18, 2008. Founded by Toronto International Film Festival Documentary Programmer Thom Powers and filmmaker A. J. Schnack, "Cinema Eye" was created to celebrate the artistic craft for the disciplines of directing, producing, cinematography and editing in nonfiction filmmaking, addressing a perceived imbalance in the cinematic field where awards were given for social impact or importance of topic rather than artistic excellence. Since 2011 the awards are presented each January in New York at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens.

Some observations
I have been attending the awards every year since they began. And each year I have been photographed for Page Six. I must say each pic has looked great, probably due to the fact that I am wearing one of the many fashionable Raquel Welch wigs that I purchase from my favorite online wig boutique, ElegantWigs. I am always on the lookout for new introductions from the various Raquel Welch wigs collections. The brand seems to release new styles every six months or so. When I first considering buying wigs, I went to an actual wig shop for assistance, but as I became more experienced I found shopping on line at a responsible e commerce site allowed me to see more styles and wig brands. I have tried other brands but I always seem return to the Raquel Welch brand. I really like her monofilament/ lace front cap constructions. A monofilament cap creates the appearance of a natural scalp and hair growth/ movement while the lace front provides a natural looking hairline and amazing off-the-face styling options. Since the first introduction of the Raquel Welch Collection there has been enormous advances in hair alternative technology resulting in countless transformations in improvements in the coloring, fibers, construction and wear-ability of Raquel Welch wigs. Today I find them lighter, more natural looking and more user friendly than ever before. The introduction of heat friendly synthetic fibers finally allowed customers like myself to heat style the wig from a straight look to curls depending upon one's mood. The Vibralite synthetic hair found in Raquel Welch wigs gives the natural look and feel of glossy, protein rich hair. It's simply gorgeous. and then there is Michael, one of their customer service reps who is just so wonderful and patient. He has never steered me wrong in a selection of a wig style. That young man certainly knows his wigs.

Anyway...I remember the 2010 awards ceremony all too well. There was a heavy down pour, can you image in January. Where was the snow. It was a mad rush from the limousine into the IFC Center. They really should have put up a covered entry way to protect the attendees from the inclement weather. The Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria is much better, but the ride out there is much longer. I still looked great, since the Raquel Welch wig I was wearing was made from a heat resistant human hair/ synthetic combo and never wilted due to the weather. I was thrilled that my dear friend, the director, Agnes Varda, won for Outstanding Achievement in Direction - The Beaches of Agnès, an autobiographical essay where Varda revisits places from her past, reminisces about life and celebrates her 80th birthday on camera. Although she has said that this will most likely be her last film, I do hope it's not true.

 

 

 

Cinema Eye Nominees for 2010

»Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking

Celebrating the highest dedication to excellence in nonfiction filmmaking across all fields of craft and artistry. Previous honorees include MANDA BALA (SEND A BULLET) (2008) and MAN ON WIRE (2009).

  • Loot

There’s no straight path to riches, particularly if you’re a …

  • Food, Inc.

You are what you eat, the saying goes. But do

  • The Cove

Flipper was one of the most beloved television characters.

  • October Country

OCTOBER COUNTRY is a haunting multi-generational story of a working-class

  • Burma VJ

Armed with pocket-sized video cameras, a tenacious band of Burmese+++

»Outstanding Achievement in Direction

This award celebrates the artists vision fully realized from page to screen and films that reveal an auteurs hand. Previous honorees include Alex Gibney for TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE (2008) and Ari Folman for WALTZ WITH BASHIR (2009

  • The Beaches of Agnes

One of the leading lights of the Nouvelle Vague

  • Time and the City

Of Time and the City is a sentimental journey.

  • Loot

There’s no straight path to riches.

  • Big River Man

Martin Strel is not your average world-class athlete

  • October Country

OCTOBER COUNTRY is a haunting multi-generational story of a working-class

  • Burma VJ

Armed with pocket-sized video cameras, a tenacious band of Burmese

»Outstanding Achievement in Production 

There is no film without the producer, who juggles the myriad details and responsibilities of filmmaking from finding subjects to hiring crew to raising money to completing the film. This award celebrates those who excel. Previous honorees include Seth Kanegis, Tomas Radoor and Mikael Rieks for GHOSTS OF CITE SOLEIL (2008) and Simon Chinn for MAN ON WIRE (2009).

  • Blood Trail

War photographer Robert King condenses the experience of the war

  • The September Issue

Anna Wintour was the editor of Vogue for 20 years.

  • Big River Man

Martin Strel is not your average world-class athlete

  • The Cove

Flipper was one of the most beloved television characters.

  • Burma VJ

Armed with pocket-sized video cameras, a tenacious band of Burmese

 

»Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography

While it is a simple thing to turn on a camera, a rare few can refine lighting and camera movement to create exceptional imagery. This award celebrates the incredible skill that plays such an integral part in the shaping of a film. Previous honorees include Heloisa Passos for MANDA BALA (SEND A BULLET) (2008) and Peter Zeitlinger for ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD (2009).

  • Unmistaken Child

Ever wonder how reincarnations of deceased Buddhist masters are found

  • Oer the Land

With the excuse of freedom, we lose so many things.

  • 45365

Brothers Bill and Turner Ross assembled four seasons’ worth of

  • The Cove

Flipper was one of the most beloved television characters.

  • October Country

OCTOBER COUNTRY is a haunting multi-generational story of a working-class

 

»Outstanding Achievement in Editing

In nonfiction filmmaking, the editor is a sculptor, taking hours and hours of raw footage and building a script, a narrative that gives life and resonance to the directors vision. Here we acknowledge the editors prime role in the creative construction of documentary. Previous honorees include Doug Abel, Jenny Golden and Andy Grieve for MANDA BALA (SEND A BULLET) (2008) and Jinx Godfrey for MAN ON WIRE (2009).

  • Every Little Step

In 1974, choreographer Michael Bennett recorded a series of conversations

  • Soul Power

Don King promoted the 1974 Muhammad Ali-George Foreman title bout

  • We Live in Public

If Al Gore invented the Internet, dot-com millionaire Josh Harris

  • 45365

Brothers Bill and Turner Ross assembled four seasons’ worth of

  • The Cove

Flipper was one of the most beloved television characters.

  • Burma VJ

Armed with pocket-sized video cameras, a tenacious band of Burmese

 

»Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design and Animation

From title design to animated characters to motion graphics that illustrate complex or humorous ideas, those who create graphic design and animation are playing an increasingly important role in the construction of great nonfiction films. Previous honorees in this category include Lewis Kofsky and Richard Winkler for CHICAGO 10 (2008) and Yoni Goodman and David Polonsky for WALTZ WITH BASHIR (2009).

  • It Might Get Loud

The electric guitar has dominated popular music for the last

  • The Beaches of Agnes

One of the leading lights of the Nouvelle Vague, director

  • RIP: A Remix Manifesto

In RiP: A remix manifesto, Web activist and filmmaker Brett

  • The Yes Men Fix the World

In December 2004, BBC World viewers tuned in to receive

  • Food, Inc.

You are what you eat, the saying goes.

»Outstanding Achievement in a Debut Feature Film

From Barbara Kopple’s HARLAN COUNTY U.S.A. to Frederick Wiseman’s TITICUT FOLLIES, some of the most lauded nonfiction films of all time have been crafted by debut filmmakers. Previous honorees include Jennifer Vendittis BILLY THE KID (2008) and Yung Changs UP THE YANGTZE (2009).

  • The Way We Get By

The SXSW Special Jury Award winning The Way We Get

  • Loot

Theres no straight path to riches, particularly if youre a

  • 45365

Brothers Bill and Turner Ross assembled four seasons’ worth of

  • The Cove

Flipper was one of the most beloved television characters of

  • October Country

OCTOBER COUNTRY is a haunting multi-generational story of a working-class

 

»Outstanding Achievement in an International Feature Film

The history of nonfiction filmmaking is built on the work and legacies of landmark filmmakers from around the world. From Vertov to Grierson to Herzog to Ivens to Cousteau, outstanding international filmmakers are consistently elevating the craft of nonfiction filmmaking. This award celebrates the best of the year. Previous honorees include THE MONASTERY MR. VIG AND THE NUN (2008) and WALTZ WITH BASHIR (2009).

  • Mugabe and the White African

Since 2000, when Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe began his violent

  • Rough Aunties

At one point, an experienced rough auntie announces that the

  • Those Who Remain

Mexican immigration to the US is an issue as old

  • Old Partner

Until one has loved an animal, a part of ones

  • Of Time and the City

Of Time and the City is a sentimental journey. At

  • Burma VJ

Armed with pocket-sized video cameras, a tenacious band of Burmese

 

 

Winners

 

“THE COVE” WINS 3 CINEMA EYE HONORS INCLUDING FEATURE PRIZE

AGNES VARDA NAMED OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR

2 HONORS FOR “BURMA VJ” and “OCTOBER COUNTRY”

“THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE” NAMED AUDIENCE CHOICE

 

JANUARY 15, 2010 – (New York) The Cinema Eye Honors, celebrating artistic achievement in nonfiction film in 12 categories, were presented tonight at the Times Center in New York City where Louie Psihoyos’ THE COVE – the acclaimed undercover investigation into secret dolphin hunting in Taijii, Japan – was the night’s big winner, receiving three Cinema Eye Honors for Outstanding Nonfiction Feature, Outstanding Production and Outstanding Cinematography.

The third annual event drew a packed house of documentary filmmakers, with presenters including Albert Maysles, Academy Award winners Barbara Kopple and Peter Davis, Ellen Kuras, Amir Bar-Lev and Bill Plympton.  The event was hosted by Cinema Eye co-chairs Esther Robinson and AJ Schnack.

Legendary French filmmaker Agnès Varda was awarded the Cinema Eye for Outstanding Direction for THE BEACHES OF AGNES.  Her longtime production designer, Franckie Diago, accepted the award on Varda’s behalf.

Anders Østergaard’s BURMA VJ received two awards, Outstanding International Feature and Outstanding Achievement in Editing, as did Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher’s OCTOBER COUNTRY, which was named Outstanding Debut and received the award for Original Music Score.

RJ Cutler’s behind-the-scenes look at Vogue Magazine, THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE, took the Audience Choice Prize.  Jessica Oreck received the first Cinema Eye Spotlight Award for her debut feature, BEETLE QUEEN CONQUERS TOKYO.  The Spotlight Award is intended to showcase a film that has not yet received proper attention in the United States.

 

2010 CINEMA EYE HONOREES

Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking

THE COVE
Directed by Louie Psihoyos
Produced by Paula DuPré Pesman and Fisher Stevens

Outstanding Achievement in Direction

Agnès Varda
THE BEACHES OF AGNES

Outstanding Achievement in International Feature Filmmaking

BURMA VJ
Directed by Anders Østergaard
Produced by Lise-Lense Møller

Outstanding Achievement in Debut Feature Filmmaking

OCTOBER COUNTRY
Directed by Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher

Outstanding Achievement in Production

Paula DuPré Pesman and Fisher Stevens
THE COVE

Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography

Brook Aitken
THE COVE

Outstanding Achievement in Editing

Janus Billeskov-Jansen and Thomas Papapetros
BURMA VJ

Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Score

Danny Grody, Donal Mosher, Michael Palmieri, Ted Savarese and Kenric Taylor
OCTOBER COUNTRY

 

 

 

More Background On CinemaEyeHonors2010.com

 

CinemaEyeHonors2010.com served as the official website for the third annual Cinema Eye Honors for Nonfiction Filmmaking, an awards program dedicated to recognizing artistic and technical excellence in documentary cinema. The site functioned as the primary online presence for the 2010 ceremony, providing detailed information about nominees, categories, honorees, the event venue, and the broader mission of the Cinema Eye Honors organization.

Launched during a period when documentary filmmaking was experiencing increasing cultural visibility, the website reflected the growing recognition of nonfiction cinema as a sophisticated art form deserving of its own dedicated awards structure. Rather than focusing exclusively on subject matter or social impact, the Cinema Eye Honors were created to highlight the craftsmanship involved in documentary production, including directing, editing, cinematography, production, music, and design.

Although the CinemaEyeHonors2010.com site was designed specifically for the 2010 awards ceremony, it represents an important historical snapshot of the early years of the Cinema Eye Honors initiative and the evolving landscape of documentary film recognition during the late 2000s.

Origins of the Cinema Eye Honors

The Cinema Eye Honors were founded in 2007 by documentary programmer Thom Powers and filmmaker A. J. Schnack. Powers, known for his long association with documentary programming at the Toronto International Film Festival, and Schnack, an experienced nonfiction filmmaker and producer, shared a vision of creating an awards platform that would emphasize the artistic achievements of documentary filmmakers.

At the time, most major film awards that included documentaries—such as the Academy Awards—primarily recognized a single category for documentary feature. While prestigious, these awards did not fully acknowledge the range of creative disciplines involved in documentary filmmaking. Powers and Schnack believed that nonfiction films deserved the same craft-oriented recognition long given to narrative films.

The Cinema Eye Honors were therefore structured similarly to traditional film awards, offering categories that celebrated directing, cinematography, editing, production, and graphic design, alongside the top prize for nonfiction feature filmmaking. This approach helped elevate documentary filmmaking as an artistic medium rather than simply a vehicle for journalism or advocacy.

The inaugural Cinema Eye Honors ceremony took place in 2008 in New York City at the IFC Center, quickly establishing the event as a major gathering for documentary filmmakers and industry professionals.

The Role of the 2010 Website

CinemaEyeHonors2010.com functioned as the digital headquarters for the third annual awards ceremony. In the era before social media became the dominant channel for film promotion, dedicated event websites played an essential role in communicating information to audiences, journalists, and film industry professionals.

The site provided a centralized resource for several key components of the awards program:

  • Announcement of nominees and award categories

  • Event details including date, time, and venue

  • Information about participating filmmakers

  • Press releases and media materials

  • Background information about the Cinema Eye Honors organization

For filmmakers whose works were nominated, the website served as an important promotional platform, helping generate attention within the documentary community and the broader film press.

The site also reflected the design conventions of late-2000s festival and awards websites, featuring structured nominee listings, descriptive film summaries, and announcements highlighting award winners.

Venue and Location

The 2010 Cinema Eye Honors ceremony was held at the Times Center in New York City, located at 242 West 41st Street in Manhattan. The venue is part of the headquarters complex of The New York Times and is known for hosting lectures, cultural events, and industry gatherings.

New York City has long served as an important hub for documentary filmmaking. The city is home to numerous documentary production companies, film festivals, broadcasters, and nonprofit organizations that support nonfiction storytelling. By hosting the awards ceremony in New York, the Cinema Eye Honors aligned themselves with a vibrant creative community that includes filmmakers, editors, cinematographers, and producers working in documentary media.

The city’s proximity to major film festivals, media outlets, and cultural institutions also contributed to the event’s visibility. Journalists, critics, and film programmers frequently attended the ceremony, increasing its influence within the documentary ecosystem.

In subsequent years, the awards moved to the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens, a renowned institution dedicated to film and media history.

Mission and Goals

The core mission of the Cinema Eye Honors is to promote and celebrate excellence in nonfiction filmmaking. Unlike some documentary awards that emphasize social impact or political relevance, Cinema Eye was designed specifically to recognize artistic and technical achievement.

This focus is evident in the categories presented during the 2010 awards ceremony, which included:

  • Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking

  • Outstanding Achievement in Direction

  • Outstanding Achievement in Production

  • Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography

  • Outstanding Achievement in Editing

  • Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design and Animation

  • Outstanding Achievement in a Debut Feature Film

  • Outstanding Achievement in an International Feature Film

  • Audience Choice Prize

  • Spotlight Award for emerging works

By highlighting these aspects of filmmaking, the organization sought to encourage documentary creators to pursue innovation in visual storytelling, editing structure, and cinematic technique.

The awards also aimed to broaden public appreciation for documentary cinema as a form of artistic expression, helping audiences recognize the creative labor involved in crafting compelling nonfiction narratives.

The 2010 Nominees

The 2010 Cinema Eye Honors featured a wide range of documentary films representing diverse subjects, styles, and international perspectives. Many of the nominated films were already receiving significant attention at film festivals and among critics.

Among the nominees for Outstanding Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking were:

  • The Cove, directed by Louie Psihoyos

  • Food, Inc., directed by Robert Kenner

  • Burma VJ, directed by Anders Østergaard

  • October Country, directed by Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher

  • Loot, directed by Darius Marder

These films represented the breadth of documentary storytelling, ranging from investigative journalism to intimate personal narratives.

Food, Inc. examined the industrial food system and its effects on consumers and farmers. Burma VJ documented citizen journalists filming protests in Myanmar under authoritarian rule. October Country explored generational trauma within an American family, while Loot examined the moral complexity surrounding the sale of Saddam Hussein’s possessions after the Iraq War.

Major Winners of the 2010 Ceremony

The most notable winner at the 2010 Cinema Eye Honors was The Cove, an investigative documentary exposing the hidden dolphin hunting industry in Taiji, Japan.

The film won multiple awards during the ceremony, including:

  • Outstanding Nonfiction Feature

  • Outstanding Production

  • Outstanding Cinematography

Directed by Louie Psihoyos and produced by Paula DuPré Pesman and Fisher Stevens, The Cove combined investigative journalism with cinematic storytelling techniques. The film used hidden cameras and underwater surveillance equipment to document practices that had previously remained largely unseen by the international public.

The documentary would later go on to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, further cementing its significance within the nonfiction film landscape.

Recognition for International and Emerging Filmmakers

Another standout winner was Burma VJ, which received two awards at the 2010 ceremony:

  • Outstanding International Feature

  • Outstanding Achievement in Editing

The film chronicled the work of underground video journalists documenting political protests in Myanmar during the Saffron Revolution. Its innovative use of smuggled footage and anonymous reporting illustrated how documentary filmmaking could serve as both artistic expression and historical record.

Similarly, October Country received honors for:

  • Outstanding Debut Feature

  • Original Music Score

The film, directed by Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher, offered an intimate portrait of family life in rural America, blending documentary realism with poetic visual storytelling.

These awards underscored the Cinema Eye Honors’ commitment to recognizing both established filmmakers and emerging voices in the documentary field.

The Direction Award and Agnès Varda

One of the most prestigious awards presented during the 2010 ceremony was Outstanding Achievement in Direction, which went to legendary French filmmaker Agnès Varda for her autobiographical documentary The Beaches of Agnès.

Varda, a pioneer of the French New Wave, was widely regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in cinema history. Her documentary combined archival footage, staged scenes, and reflective narration to explore her life and career.

The recognition from the Cinema Eye Honors reinforced the organization’s commitment to honoring filmmakers whose work demonstrates both artistic vision and innovation.

Varda’s award was accepted on her behalf by longtime collaborator Franckie Diago, further highlighting the collaborative nature of filmmaking.

Audience Choice and Special Recognition

In addition to juried awards, the Cinema Eye Honors included an Audience Choice Prize. In 2010, this award went to The September Issue, directed by R. J. Cutler.

The documentary offered a behind-the-scenes look at Vogue magazine and its editor-in-chief Anna Wintour during the production of the publication’s influential September issue. The film provided viewers with rare insight into the world of fashion publishing and editorial decision-making.

Another notable recognition was the Cinema Eye Spotlight Award, created to highlight films that had not yet received widespread distribution or recognition in the United States.

The first recipient of this award was Jessica Oreck for Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo, an imaginative documentary exploring Japan’s fascination with insects.

Cultural and Industry Impact

The Cinema Eye Honors emerged during a transformative era for documentary filmmaking. Advances in digital cameras, editing software, and distribution platforms were enabling more filmmakers to produce nonfiction films with cinematic quality.

At the same time, documentaries were achieving unprecedented visibility in theaters, on television, and at major film festivals.

By focusing on artistic craft, the Cinema Eye Honors helped reinforce the idea that documentaries could be judged by the same aesthetic standards as narrative films. This perspective encouraged filmmakers to experiment with storytelling techniques, visual style, and sound design.

The awards also contributed to a broader cultural conversation about the role of documentary cinema in contemporary society. Films such as The Cove and Food, Inc. demonstrated how documentaries could influence public awareness and policy debates while still achieving high artistic standards.

Press and Media Coverage

The Cinema Eye Honors have consistently attracted attention from film critics and industry publications. Media outlets covering the 2010 ceremony noted the growing importance of documentary filmmaking within the broader film industry.

Trade publications such as Variety and The Hollywood Reporter regularly reported on Cinema Eye nominations and winners, recognizing the awards as an indicator of critical acclaim within the documentary community.

The presence of prominent filmmakers and industry figures at the ceremony further elevated its status. Presenters and attendees included Academy Award-winning filmmakers, cinematographers, and editors who had played significant roles in the development of documentary cinema.

Coverage of the event often highlighted its atmosphere as both celebratory and collegial, reflecting the collaborative nature of the nonfiction film world.

The Website as a Historical Artifact

Although CinemaEyeHonors2010.com was originally created as a practical information resource, the site now serves as a digital archive of the 2010 awards ceremony.

Through archived versions preserved online, researchers and film enthusiasts can examine how documentary films were presented and discussed during that period. The website captures a snapshot of the documentary community’s priorities, including which films were considered groundbreaking and which filmmakers were emerging voices in the field.

Such sites are valuable to historians of media and cinema because they document the evolving structures of film recognition and the cultural networks that support filmmaking.

Audience and Community

The audience for CinemaEyeHonors2010.com included a diverse group of visitors:

  • Documentary filmmakers and producers

  • Film festival programmers

  • Film students and educators

  • Journalists and critics

  • Documentary enthusiasts

For filmmakers, the website provided visibility and recognition. For audiences, it offered a curated guide to some of the most acclaimed documentary films of the year.

The site also helped connect members of the documentary community, reinforcing the collaborative networks that support nonfiction filmmaking.

Legacy of the 2010 Awards

More than a decade later, the 2010 Cinema Eye Honors remain an important milestone in the awards program’s early history. Many of the films recognized during the ceremony went on to achieve lasting cultural and cinematic influence.

The success of films like The Cove demonstrated the power of documentary cinema to reach wide audiences and inspire global conversation.

Meanwhile, the continued growth of the Cinema Eye Honors has confirmed the importance of recognizing the artistic craft behind documentary filmmaking.

Today, the organization remains one of the most respected institutions dedicated to honoring nonfiction cinema.

~~~

CinemaEyeHonors2010.com stands as an informative and historically meaningful website documenting the third annual Cinema Eye Honors ceremony. Created as the official online platform for the event, the site provided detailed information about nominees, award categories, winners, and the broader mission of the Cinema Eye Honors organization.

Beyond its immediate purpose, the site reflects a significant moment in the evolution of documentary filmmaking recognition. By emphasizing artistic craft and creative innovation, the Cinema Eye Honors helped reshape how documentary films are evaluated and celebrated within the film industry.

The films honored in 2010—ranging from investigative exposés to personal essays—illustrate the remarkable diversity of contemporary documentary storytelling. Through the Cinema Eye Honors and the website that supported them, the documentary community gained a platform dedicated to recognizing the artistry behind nonfiction cinema.

 

CinemaEyeHonors2010.com