Filmography
Remaining Human (2016)
"Remaining Human" is a short introductory primer on Norbert Wiener and the Lost Science of Cybernetics. This is the first film of a series on the work and life of the "father of cybernetics", to be followed by a feature film and documentary series.
World Without Waves (2004)
Abamedia’s premier independent feature film, World Without Waves (2004), is the provocative story of a technology-addicted NYC television producer who suddenly develops a physically debilitating reaction to electricity, and flees to a seemingly idyllic haven in the wilds of Texas — only to find himself at odds with the law and entangled with locals emitting different, dangerous energies and behaviors. The film debuted as an Official Selection at the Moscow International Festival, and went on to win “Best Southwest Film” at the Santa Fe Film Festival. For deeper information, please visit the World Without Waves website (requires Flash plugin).
Red Files (1999)
A critically acclaimed four-part series produced by InVision Productions with Abamedia in association with Devillier-Donegan Enterprises and PBS. Through archival footage and eloquent interviews, the 60-minute episodes explore the Soviet viewpoint on atomic espionage, the space race, propaganda, & sports diplomacy. It also includes a companion book by George Feiffer, published by TV Books.
- Independent Documentary Association (IDA) Distinguished Achievement Award, 2000 Best Limited Series
Moses Pendleton Presents Moses Pendleton (1982)
A profile of the founder of the Pilobolus Dance Theater for Hearst/ABC ARTS (A&E) which includes dramatic footage of Moses Pendleton’s pioneering masterpieces of human form and design in dance.
- CINE Golden Eagle – Council on International Non-Theatrical Events
- Silver Boomerang – Melbourne Television and Film Festival, Australia
- Bronze Hugo – Chicago International Film Festival
- Grand Prize for Script – Festival International Du Film D’Art, Paris, France
- Gold Cindy – Information Film Producers of America
- Best Documentary – USA Film Festival, Dallas, Texas
- Special Jury Award – US Film and Video Competition, (now known as Sundance)
- Honorable Mention (2nd Place) – San Francisco International Film Festival
- Percey Award (Best Dramatic Feature) – Santa Fe Winter Film Exposition
- Gold Star Award – Dance Film and Video Festival
Dedication to Fort Ross (2012)
Video presentation for a fund raising gala at San Francisco's City Hall, on behalf of the restoration of Fort Ross State Historic Park, California. The soundtrack features the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra under the direction of Valery Gurgiev.
Abamedia is in simultaneous production in the USA and Russia on multiple documentaries and media projects as a part of the “Fort Ross Bicentennial Media Project.” Showcasing the extraordinary living history of Fort Ross, California, the first Imperial Russian settlement in America, the project uses new and old media to tell important but little-known stories. The generous sponsors of this initiative include Viktor Vekselberg’s Links of Time Foundation, the Renova Fort Ross Foundation, and the Fort Ross Conservancy, Inc.
Stephen Bruton Tribute Video (2009)
A film short honoring the life of the late, great, Fort-Worth born guitarist, songwriter and performing artist, Stephen Bruton. It was produced for the 2009 Lone Star International Film Festival where songwriter/actor Kris Kristofferson accepted the first annual Bruton Award for excellence in the performing arts. Bruton is also a featured actor in Abamedia’s first independent feature film, “World Without Waves.” He also produced with J. Mitchell Johnson the film’s soundtrack album, and composed and performed music as well.
Lili (1984)
A docudrama on the adventurous life of pianist Lili Kraus, “Lili” was co-produced with Hungarian and Austrian television channels. Ms. Kraus was born in Hungary, and studied with legendary musicians like Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály. Her international concert career took her around the world, and while on an Asian tour in 1942 she was captured and interned by the Japanese army until the end of the war.
- Best of Category – San Francisco International Film Festival
- Gold Award – Houston International Film Festival
- Silver Award – International Film and Television Festival of New York
- Certificate of Merit – Chicago International Film Festival
- Best of Texas Award – Texas Public Relations Association
Water Garden (1984)
A PBS documentary revealing Philip Johnson's design concepts and thoughts behind his premier “sculpture”: a four-acre creation with three dramatic water features, and a plaza with concrete step mountains in the center of downtown Fort Worth, Texas.
- Gold Award – International Film and Television Festival of New York
- Silver Cindy – Information Film Producers of America
- Best of Category – San Francisco International Film Festival
- Silver Award – Houston International Film Festival
Contest to Carnegie Hall (1978)
A PBS broadcast, funded by Tandy Corporation.
- Gold Cindy – Information Film Producers of America
- Bronze Award – International Film and Television Festival of New York
- Best of Show – Addy Awards, Fort Worth, Texas
Other Films
Yanks for Stalin (1999)
A 60-minute episode for The History Channel’s “History Undercover” series, “Yanks for Stalin tells the compelling story of the American companies and individuals who helped achieve Stalin’s Five Year-Plans.
Made in Russia (1999)
A series of fast-paced, 60-second looks at young Russian achievers for StoryFirst Communications/CTC.
Everybody’s Talking (1994-1995)
A ground-breaking co-production with ABC News of the first Russian TV newsmagazine: twenty-three 30-minute episodes of a television current affairs series broadcast by the number one channel in the former Soviet Union, Ostankino/ORT, to a potential viewing audience of 280 million.
Fodor’s Travel Films (1986-1992)
Not just travelogues, the Fodor’s films told the stories of countries around the world through the views and voices of native journalists, politicians, scholars and everyday people. These cultural documentaries were broadcast on the Travel Channel, Australian Television, Hungarian Television, and Korean Television, and made available in video stores, bookstores, libraries and educational institutions throughout the English-speaking world.
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Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival (1983)
Featuring Aaron Copland, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts for PBS and A&E.
- Best of Show – Best Documentary – New Mexico Film and Video Awards
Milepost 407: A West Texas Story (1982)
A look at Abilene, Texas and the oil that created it. Broadcast on PBS.
- Jury Award – Chicago International Film Festival
- Finalist Award – American Film Festival
Artist and Athlete: The Pursuit of Perfection (1980)
60-minute documentary covering the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics Art’s program; broadcast on A&E.
- Cablecasting Excellence – ACE Nominations, Los Angeles (for Artist and Athlete)
1981 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (1981)
What happens in an international piano competition – the music, of course, but also the true-life drama of pianists seeking what could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pursue a concert career. A three-part series for A&E and a 90-minute, live, prime-time special for PBS.
Six Short Films Featuring Pilobolus Dance Theater (1981)
Working with Pilobolus Dance Theater founder Moses Pendleton, fantastic yet child-friendly sculptural dance pieces created for “Sesame Street,” Children’s Television Workshop.
Olympic Overture (1980)
30-minute performance video featuring violinist Yehudi Menuhin at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics; broadcast on national PBS.
Gymnast (1980)
A program highlighting the world’s finest women gymnasts.
- IQ World Fellowship Award – International Quorum of Motion Picture Producers
- CINE Golden Eagle – Council on International Non-Theatrical Events
- Bronze Award – International Film and Television Festival of New York
- Certificate of Merit – Chicago International Film Festival
- Special Jury Award – Bronze – Hemisfilm International Festival, San Antonio, Texas
- Finalist Award – Information Film Producers of America
- Special Award – Addy Awards, Fort Worth, Texas
A Portrait of Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne (1980)
Produced for “Live from Lincoln Center” on PBS.
Anatomy of a Baseball Trade (1980)
A behind-the-scenes look at the New York Mets commissioned by HBO as part of its “Sports Magazine” series.
Lexo: Alexander Toradze, Pianist (1979)
Broadcast on PBS and Soviet television, funded by Coca Cola.
Futures (1979)
A set of 10-minute videos created for the Texas State Technical Institute.
- Gold Cindy – Information Film Producers of America
- Silver Award – International Film and Television Festival of New York
- Jury Award – Chicago International Film Festival
- Best Texas Directed Production of the Year – USA Film Festival, Dallas, Texas