Vancouver Director’s New Doc Wins Big at 2017 Leos

Vancouver Director’s New Doc Wins Big at 2017 Leos
Vancouver director Leon Lee speaks after receiving a Leo Award in four categories for “Avenues of Escape” on June 3 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver. (Epoch Times)
6/6/2017
Updated:
6/6/2017

A documentary by Leon Lee, a Vancouver-based Peabody-award winning director, was a big winner at the 2017 Leo Awards, which recognize excellence in B.C. film and television.

Lee’s latest film, “Avenues of Escape,” which tells the story of three women fleeing religious persecution in China, swept the Documentary Feature category at the awards ceremony on June 3, winning Best Program, Best Director, Best Screenwriting, and Best Score.

“I cherish the freedom to make films like this in Canada and for the opportunity to create awareness for this crime against humanity,” said Lee after the event, referring to the ongoing campaign of persecution against Falun Gong practitioners in China.

The awards add to a growing collection for the Chinese-Canadian immigrant, whose previous films have received 9 awards and 10 nominations since 2014, including a 2015 Peabody award for “Human Harvest,” which exposes China’s illegal organ trade.

“Avenues of Escape” is now available on VOD: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/avenuesofescape/173708789