The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has announced its nominees for the 41st Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards, which include two nominations for AT THE HEART OF GOLD: INSIDE THE USA GYMNASTICS SCANDAL. Directed by Erin Lee Carr and available on HBO, the documentary was produced by Sidewinder Films, the media division of The Foundation for Global Sports Development. The film has been nominated for Best Documentary and Outstanding Investigative Documentary.
Based on years of research by producers Dr. Steven Ungerleider and David Ulich, AT THE HEART OF GOLD features brave testimonials from the athletes at the center of the gymnastics scandal. Through interviews with dozens of survivors, coaches, lawyers, and journalists, the film reveals a dangerous system that prioritized winning over everything else, including protecting young female athletes.
“We are grateful to the Television Academy for recognizing the significance of AT THE HEART OF GOLD,” said Dr. Steven Ungerleider, producer. “The documentary is unflinching in its exposure of abuse in sport. It is also a powerful testament to the Sister Survivors and their strength and courage.”
David Ulich, also a producer of the film, added, “AT THE HEART OF GOLD has been a core element of Courage First, an abuse prevention initiative created by our organization, The Foundation for Global Sports Development. By screening this film and encouraging thoughtful discussions, we hope to further the cause started by these outspoken survivors of ending abuse in sports and inspire everyone to join us in that mission.”
More about the Courage First program and the educational screening tour can be found at http://www.couragefirst.org. The website also offers a film discussion guide for viewers to gain a deeper understanding of the events the documentary explores and the broader topic of abuse in sport.
The film is available to watch or stream on HBO and HBO Max: https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/at-the-heart-of-gold-inside-the-usa-gymnastics-scandal
About The Foundation for Global Sports Development and Sidewinder Films
The Foundation for Global Sports Development and Sidewinder Films leverage the impact of philanthropy and the power of film to promote sportsmanship, education, fair play and ethics among the world’s youth. Giving special emphasis to groups and communities that are most in need or most underserved by current programs, the foundation strives to include women, minorities, and youth in its mission. The foundation’s media division, Sidewinder Films, supports this mission by producing groundbreaking documentaries that bring untold stories to the international community.
Visit http://www.globalsportsdevelopment.org and http://www.sidewinderfilms.org to learn more.