The International Documentary Association awarded the Pare Lorentz prize at a ceremony Friday to a film about Chiune Sugihara, the Japanese consul in Lithuania who issued more than 2,000 visas to Jews during World War II.
Since 1984, the association -- which has more than 2,500 members in 50 countries -- has recognized the achievements of makers of nonfiction short films, features, single programs within a series, and student productions.
The Pare Lorentz award was added four years ago. It is given to the film that best reflects the democratic sensibility, activist spirit and lyrical vision of Lorentz, said Grace Ouchida, the acting executive director of IDA.
Lorentz was a renowned maker of political documentaries whose career spanned more than 50 years. He is considered one of America's great pioneers in the genre.