Now in its 55th year, New York Festivals is recognised as a major event by those involved in television and film industries on a global scale and success at the awards ceremony held in Las Vegas is extremely important according to Senior Brand Officer for Kawasaki Motors Europe, Frank Zoontjes.

“For the new ZX-6R we used the iconic Isle of Man TT course as the location and engaged a top TT rider to star in the video. Likewise, the Z800 production featured a highly respected boxer in line with the tag line that this machine was a middleweight motorcycle with a knockout punch.

Spurred on by very positive public reaction to each of the two videos we consulted our production partner, Pool Productions, and decided to enter submissions in several categories of the prestigious New York Festivals awards in the hope that they would be perhaps be selected among the finalists. To achieve this and the go on to win a total of two gold’s, one silver and a bronze award was quite simply amazing.”

Taking top spot in the event venue category for the Ninja ZX-6R 636 and cinematography for the Z800 productions, the Ninja ZX-6R video also achieved silver and bronze status for cinematography and production design respectively.

With a judging panel comprised of over 200 directors, producers, journalists, writers, actors, creative directors, art directors, filmmakers, composers and programming executives who are award-winners themselves, the decision making process was inevitably rigorous, as film maker, Tom Moran explained.

“We have been working with Kawasaki for a number of years and felt these two videos were worthy of wider recognition. To have each win the top award in a major category is an amazing feeling which makes all the hard work of the team involved worthwhile”.

Although not able to attend the April awards ceremony in Las Vegas due to training for the Isle of Man TT races, ZX-6R rider James Hillier added his praise for the film crew saying,

“I had never done anything like this before and to witness roads being closed, helicopter filming coordinated with a camera “chase bike” and all the other elements being organised by the production team convinced me that we would have something special for Kawasaki fans to view. If I achieve the same level of success at the TT races in June I will be delighted!”.

Editors notes:

The awards ceremony took place in Las Vegas on Tuesday 9 April

Award Title Category Group Category

Gold World Medal Z800 Film and Video - Craft: Films/Productions Cinematography
Silver World Medal Ninja ZX-6R Film and Video - Craft: Films/Productions Cinematography
Gold World Medal Ninja ZX-6R Film and Video - Industrial Productions Event Venue
Bronze World Medal Ninja ZX-6R Film and Video - Craft: Films/Productions Prod Design/Art Direction
Finalist Certificate Z800 Film and Video - Craft: Films/Productions ProdDesign/Art Direction

New York Festival's World's Best Television & Films competition honors programming in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries. Dedicated to both the Television and Film industries, categories mirror today's global trends and encourage the next generation of story-tellers and talent:

New York Festivals (NYF) now in its 55th year, is an International Awards Group (IAG) LLC Company. Recognizing the World’s Best Work™ in advertising and TV, Film & Radio programs.

Note: Ride a Ninja ZX-6R or Z800 at the World of Kawasaki event at Silverstone on 21 April.

Click here to Register

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