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Exceptional People's Olympiad Documentary Wins Award

By Mary Beth Wolicky, Communications Advisor, Communications and Community Engagement Sector

The God Brothers, a short documentary produced by CBC-TV on the Exceptional People's Olympiad and held each year inside the walls of Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ontario, has won a prestigious international film award. The piece garnered the Bronze Plaque for the best short social documentary at the Columbus International Film and Video Festival that took place recently in the United States.

Broadcast on CBC Newsworld's Sports Journal in May 2004, and later aired on May 2004, the documentary focused on the 2003 Olympiad at Collins Bay Institution.

Producer Roma Andrusiak credits the success of the film to the dedication and spirit of the Collins Bay inmates who supported the "amazing weekend event" which was organized and financed by Collins Bay inmates themselves with support from staff and various outside sponsors.

Correctional Service of Canada Social Program Officers Doug Senior and Pat Anson, along with many other Collins Bay staff, played key roles in assisting this inmate-driven event, which is a chance for developmentally challenged athletes to achieve their dreams of competing in a high-profile venue. The event also provides an opportunity for offenders to make a valuable contribution to the community.

The film's title comes from the term given to inmates who team up with athletes to provide support and assistance throughout the weekend.