Date: April 9, 2009
Contact: Merrith Baughman, 402-223-3514
The film Land of Dreams: Homesteading America, which tells the American epic homesteading story, is a hit with the critics. It has been selected for a 2009 Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Award. This follows winning the prestigious CINE Golden Eagle Award. It is shown daily, free of charge, at Homestead National Monument of America’s Heritage Center.
“The first time I saw Land of Dreams: Homesteading America, I thought it did an outstanding job of explaining the importance and impact of the Homestead Act of 1862, and these awards only confirm this. I think our visitors are in for a cinematic surprise when they watch this movie,” said Superintendent Mark Engler.
Land of Dreams: Homesteading America takes the viewer on a journey through 123 years of homesteading history. The film tours homesteads from Nebraska to Alaska. It features interviews with homesteaders, their descendents, and American Indians and explores the legacy of the 1862 Homestead Act. Charles Dunkerly was the producer and director, Rick Confalone was the director of photography, and Polly Bryan was the editor. It was produced at the Harpers Ferry Center, the National Park Services’ Interpretive Design Center.
The NAGC (National Association of Government Communicators) Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards Competition recognizes superior government communication products and their producers in 47 categories. Blue Pencil Award categories are designed for writing and pre-related products. Gold Screen Award categories are reserved for audiovisual and multimedia products, including broadcast-related products and Web sites. In 2008 over 600 entries were received and judged by a prestigious panel of expert judges. First Place, Second Place, and Awards of Excellence will be announced on Wednesday, April 22, in Orlando Florida, during the 2008 NASG Communications School.
Land of Dreams: Homesteading America is also available for purchase. The cost of the DVD is $9.95 at the Eastern National Bookstores at the Heritage Center and Education Center at Homestead National Monument of America.
Homestead National Monument of America is a unit of the National Park Service located four miles west of Beatrice, Nebraska. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free of charge. For additional information, please call 402-223-3514 or visit www.nps.gov/home.
