The documentary Two Sidesa behind-the-scenes look at the historic 2021 tour of the British and Irish Lions to South Africa, has been nominated for a prestigious Emmy Award.
SA Rugby (Saru) and the British and Irish Lions were commissioning partners with South African production house T+W and Welsh-based Whisper Cymru who Two Sides produced.
The documentary competes with three other international nominations.
The documentary investigated what exactly took place in the Springbok and Lions camp during the tour which was held at the height of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa.
It tells a story from the perspective of the Springboks and Lions and contains footage of both teams as they participated in a tournament that had to be played behind closed doors and was greatly complicated by coronavirus outbreaks among both teams.
At the time, Warren Gatland’s men were deprived of the red sea of ​​supporters after strict travel restrictions were introduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “But the players, selected from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, played with pride in a Test series that only turned in the Springboks’ favour,” reads the Lions’ story of the 2021 tour.
In South Africa, M-Net and SuperSport broadcast the three-episode documentary. It was followed by ITV in the UK and Virgin One in Ireland in the first half of last year. Moreover, the series has generated great interest among social media users and the traditional media.
Also on the short list 30 Dias Para Ganar from Mexico telling the story of Paralympic skiers; Alexia, Labor Omnia Vincit, a documentary from Spain about the Barcelona and Spanish soccer player Alexia Putellas; also Harley & Katya (Australia) about the figure skating pair.
The winners of the 51st International Emmy Awards will be announced on 20 November during a glamorous ceremony in New York.
