Rory Kennedy to Receive The Pennebaker Award at the Ninth Critics Choice Documentary Awards in the USA
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) has announced that Rory Kennedy, an Academy Award-nominated and Primetime Emmy-winning documentarian, will receive The Pennebaker Award at the Ninth Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards. The ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at The Edison Ballroom in New York City and will be live-streamed on Facebook, YouTube, and the CCA website.
The Pennebaker Award, named in honor of the late documentary pioneer D A Pennebaker, recognizes outstanding achievement in the field of documentary filmmaking. The award will be presented by Chris Hegedus, Pennebaker’s widow and longtime collaborator.
Rory Kennedy is celebrated for her impactful body of work, which includes over 40 films such as "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing," "Last Days in Vietnam," and "Ethel." Her Netflix release "The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari" became the platform's top global film during its release week. Her latest project, "The Synanon Fix," examines the evolution of a celebrated addiction treatment center into a cult-like organization.
The event will feature a star-studded roster of presenters, including actors Bridget Moynahan, Lorraine Toussaint, Ken Leung, Ali Wentworth, and Michael Cyril Creighton, along with documentarians Lauren Greenfield and R.J. Cutler. Chelsea Clinton and Amanda Zurawski will also present an award for their film "Zurawski V Texas," which chronicles a critical legal battle over women’s healthcare rights.
The Critics Choice Documentary Awards honor excellence in non-fiction filmmaking across theatrical, television, and digital platforms. The ceremony is regarded as an important prelude to the Academy Awards. This year’s nominees, announced earlier in October, span 18 categories, with winners determined by CCA members.