Death in the Heartlands Shortlisted for Sports Documentary of the Year in London
Death in the Heartlands, a Showmax Original documentary, has been shortlisted for Sports Documentary of the Year – Over 60 Minutes at the prestigious Broadcast Sports Awards in London. The event, set for 14 November 2024, will see the documentary compete against global icons such as England footballer Michael Owen, coach Sven-Göran Eriksson, and snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Part of the Dark Side of Glory series, Death in the Heartlands delves into the tragic murders of three female Kenyan runners in 2021: Edith Muthoni, Agnes Tirop, and Damaris Muthee Mutua, all killed by men close to them. The elite running community of Iten, known as the “Home of Champions,” was rocked by these incidents, including Tirop’s murder shortly after setting a world record in Germany.
Directed by Arianna Perretta and produced by CMG Productions, the documentary explores the alarming trend of violence against women athletes, a tragedy underscored by the murder of Rebecca Cheptegei just weeks after the documentary aired.
“This nomination is a testament to the powerful stories of the athletes and the courage of their families.”
Claire McArdle, co-CEO of CMG Productions, said,
Showmax Dominates Awards Circuit
Showmax continues to solidify its place as a premier platform for African stories, already earning 141 nominations for the 2024 SAFTAs, which take place on 25 and 26 October 2024. The platform’s dominance extends internationally, with nominations at the Venice TV Awards in September and now the Broadcast Sports Awards in London.
The African streaming giant’s success is a testament to its rich content, where local and international audiences can stream some of the most compelling stories across genres.
