Manitoba Government NEWS Information Services Branch Legislative Bldg., R3C OV8 SERVICE Date: October 13, 1972. Phone 946-7175

WILDLIFE FILM WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD - - - Manitoba Govt. Entry First In Conservation Competition

One of a series of three wildlife films produced in Manitoba has won an international award, Department of Mines, Resources and Environmental Management Minister Sidney has announced. "Prairie Seasons," the first of a now-completed "Trilogy of Manitoba Wildlife," recently received first prize in a competition sponsored by the American Association for Conservation Information, at its annual convention in Boise, Idaho. The 17-minute film was cited for its excellence in photography, narration, music background, and general over-all production. "Prairie Seasons" was photographed by well-known Winnipeg outdoors photo- grapher George Cotter, whose achievements in field photography are recognized in cine- matographic circles. The script was written by wildlife biologist Dr. Robert Oetting and naturalist Dr. Robert Nero, of the Manitoba department's development and extension service. Both have had wide experience with the outdoors and are expert writers on naturalist subjects. Narration was read by Keith Smith. Original music for the three films -- the other two being "Marshland Summer" and "Forest Trails" -- was written by local Victor Davies. He has been com- missioned in the past to write several pieces for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and composed the original score for "The Beginning and End of the World," presented at the Planetarium of the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature in 1971. The films were produced by Kip Park, also of the department's development and extension service. Mr. Park is a former radio and television producer with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. "These films show some of the most unique scenes of outdoor Manitoba ever seen on the screen," said Mr. Green. "The dialogue is intended to give the viewer an insight into the interrelationships of nature." "A Trilogy of Manitoba Wildlife" can be obtained for viewing at no cost by writing the Department of Mines, Resources and Environmental Management, Development

Extension Service, Box 11, 139 Tuxedo Blvd., winnIDeF, or telephoninp 480-4511, extension 246. -30-

CCA-F-3