Program maker Ikenna Azuike was awarded the very first Dutch Media Week Award on Wednesday, October 5, for the positive impact he has created with his work. In particular, the jury mentioned his podcast series Flight Numbers, in which refugees, using music fragments, tell their personal, moving, and sometimes touching stories. The jury admired the playful and cheerful way in which Azuike addresses and makes serious topics discussable. Additionally, they praised the way he advocates for the stories of refugees with his podcast and provides a platform for other cultures.
Alongside Azuike, journalist/columnist Pepijn Keppel and Angie Smet, studio director and executive producer at Guerrilla, were also nominated for the award. Azuike could not attend the Dutch Media Week Dinner, where the award was presented, due to recordings. However, Azuike recorded a video message in which he expressed his gratitude: "A massive huge thank you to the people in Flight Numbers. They are the real heroes for sharing the trauma of their flight story with us."
Herman Dummer, program manager Dutch Media Week: "I am proud of the presentation of the first Dutch Media Week Award and of the first winner. A wonderful example of how a media maker makes a positive impact with media. Exactly what we stand for as Dutch Media Week."
Impact of media
By annually presenting the Dutch Media Award to an exceptional media maker, the organization aims to emphasize the importance of media and its impact on our daily lives. The winner of the Dutch Media Week Award is determined by a jury consisting of radio presenter, reporter, and documentary maker Mischa Blok, professor of Media Studies at UvA Mark Deuze, and Len Maessen, editor at NRC specializing in tech, games, TV, and film.
About Dutch Media Week
Dutch Media Week promotes, stimulates, and celebrates media. From October 3 to 9, 2022, the festival allows both creators and users to experience how important media are in our daily lives. This year, the largest media festival in the Netherlands will focus on the pros and cons of a society where, thanks to advancing technology, more and more can and must be done online, under the theme ON/OFF. Dutch Media Week is made possible by Beeld & Geluid, in close collaboration with the Municipality of Hilversum, Hilversum Marketing, and Stadsfonds Hilversum.
