'The Execution Beat' Short Doc Wins Regional Emmy Award

Longtime Pulitzer Center grantee Jason Motlagh's short documentary, "The Execution Beat," won the a Regional Emmy for Documentary Topical News and Program Speciality in the 46th Annual Northern California Area EMMY Awards. The AJ+ short documentary is an in-depth look at Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's murderous war on drugs.

"I'd like to acknowledge the Filipino families that opened their homes to us at a very painful moment," Motlagh said during his acceptance speach at the awards ceremony. He dedicated his award to his daughter. "Often these stories take me pretty far on the road and to very dark places and I always have a lot of light to look forward to when I get home. So thank you Simone, I love you."

Motlagh accepted the award on behalf of his team at AJ+, including editor Michael Shagoury, executive producer Hunter Holcombe, editor Paul Donatelli, and camera man Mark Oltmanns. Special thanks in video credits went out to Ella Mage, DJ Diosina, Vincent Go, Kae Hope Echiverri Ranoa, and the Pulitzer Center. 

The Execution Beat from AJ+ Short Docs on Vimeo.