Juried by television personnel statewide, the award recognizes achievement in the field of documentary filmmaking across the state of Pennsylvania. Greg Matkosky, WVIA’s Creative Director of Documentary Films who worked as a director of the film stated “The Knoebel family was tremendously generous with their stories and photographs, and most importantly, their trust that we would make a film that was not only factually accurate, but also rendered the experience of the park in a cinematic way.” WVIA President and CEO Tom Currá said “It is always gratifying to tell wonderful stories about our region and it is an honor to have our work recognized by industry peers. Who wouldn't like a film about Knoebels? ”
“Knoebels” a documentary created by WVIA Public Media premeired on May 19, 2015 on WVIA-TV. The documentary highlights the history of the amusement resort from it’s beginning as a homestead to the Knoebels family to becoming a preeminent amusement resort destination.
Knoebels Amusement Resort is a family-owned and operated amusement park, picnic grove, and campground in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. It is and has been America's largest free-admission park for 90 years of operation.
The PAB award will be presented at the 51 PAB Convention, Gold Medal Banquet and Awards Luncheon held May 15-16 at the Hotel Hershey in Hershey PA.
The Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters, commonly referred to as PAB, represents radio and television broadcasters across the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is affiliated with the National Association of Broadcasters. Every year the organization holds a convention where its main attraction, the luncheon for its Excellence in Broadcasting Awards, takes place.
WVIA will re-air the documentary on Sunday, April 24 at 7 p.m., Saturday April 30 at 11 a.m., Tuesday Mary 3 at 7 p.m., Thursday May 5 at 8 p.m., Sunday May 8 at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m.
More information on the WVIA Documentary can be found at http://www.wvia.org/knoebels.