The Antennas are Australia’s annual National Community Television Awards, recognising the contribution of volunteer community television makers from across Australia. The Antennas celebrates diversity and harmony by bringing many disparate communities together to celebrate their cultures, interests and perspectives.
On Thurs 24th April 2008, The Antennas will be held at the spectacular BMW Edge at Melbourne’s Federation Square. The Antenna Awards are then broadcast nationally on Sunday the 27th at 7.30pm.
The Antennas are attended by representatives from the community television sector, the film and television industry, local business and the State and Federal Governments. The exciting awards ceremony is studded with live musical and cultural performances and comedy. In its inaugural year The Antennas received a massive 506 entries from volunteer producers in all mainland states, with a further the 532 entries in 2005.
Community Television occupies an important place in Australia’s media landscape servicing members of our community not catered for on mainstream television.
Community television services are sustained by networks of diverse and dedicated volunteers. C31 Melbourne is home to thirty-eight community production groups, through which hundreds of volunteers are engaged in community television production.
Community Television provides an important service to new and emerging Australian communities. C31 Melbourne broadcasts locally-produced programs in over twenty languages including Vietnamese, Somali, Arabic and Spanish.
The Community Television Sector is Australia’s training ground for aspiring film and television professionals, who gain vital hands-on experience by volunteering on community television programs. The Antennas provides community television makers the opportunity to have work presented in an industry-recognised Awards ceremony. The Antennas Judging panel consists of film and television industry professionals, community media experts and community representatives.