General Comments

"The documentary projects and courtroom filmings by Calamari Productions have helped open my eyes to the personal stories and experiences of the children who enter my courtroom. These projects are invaluable in illuminating the myriad issues facing children and families who enter the juvenile justice and child welfare system, and offer great professional insight for me as a judge when determining what’s in a child’s best interest."

Hon. Mary Beth Bonaventura,Chief Judge
Lake Superior Court Juvenile Division

"(Calamari) lifted the veil so the world could view what goes on in the otherwise tightly secured proceedings. The payback for the courts is the camera catches teachable moments. The justices felt in depth documentaries would educate a large number of people and ideally bring resources to bear on some of these problems."

~ David Remondini, Counsel to the Chief Justice

"Calamari Productions has gone a long way to de-mystify the inner workings of a Juvenile Courtroom and to open the general public’s eyes about the numerous challenges faced by the countless professionals involved within the Juvenile Court system. Calamari took on the Herculean task of producing television programming which depicted with vision and clarity the inside workings of three Indiana juvenile Courts. The breadth and depth of [Calamari’s] effort is almost impossible to describe."

James Payne
Director, Division of Child Services
Indiana Family & Social Services Agency
Former Chief Judge, Marion Superior Court Juvenile Division
Indianapolis, Indiana

"For Their Own Good"

""For Their Own Good" is a penetrating look at juvenile court proceedings as seen through the stories of Indiana children and their families and a judge who gave (Calamari) reporters sweeping access to his courtroom.."

~ The Casey Journalism Center

"In the Child’s Best Interest"

"The Calamari Productions/MSNBC documentary ‘In The Child’s Best Interest’ was a first-rate example of in-depth television news reporting. Calamari Productions successfully balanced the privacy concerns of the participants with the desire to present an accurate portrayal of life in Indiana’s juvenile courtrooms. The result was a compelling and thoughtful production. As a result of the meticulous attention to court guidelines the five members of our Court granted Calamari Productions further permission to continue filming in the juvenile courtrooms, even though all of Indiana’s trial courts are generally closed to cameras."

The Hon. Randall T. Shepard, Chief Justice
Indiana Supreme Court

"Great documentaries allow us to see what we’ve never seen before. This is one of them."

~ Judges, Edward R. Murrow Award

"No Place for a Child"

"Stories about foster children are usually predictable…but this documentary takes the unusual step of looking inside the courtrooms that rule the children’s lives. The producers provide a thorough and unflinching portrait of families involved in foster care. Happy endings seem elusive, but this production allows outsiders to perhaps understand why."

~ Judges, 2007 Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism Award

Our Awards:

2010 Crystal Clarion Award

Outstanding TV Series

2010 Gracie Allen Award

Outstanding Documentary Series

National Edward R. Murrow Award

Best Documentary

Edward R. Murrow Award

Best Writing

National Emmy Nominee

Documentary

Emmy Award Winner

Best Documentary

Emmy Award Winner

Best Writing

National Headliner Award

News Documentary

Columbus International Film Festival

CHRIS Award

Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism

Television: Long Form

National IRE Award Television

Network Syndicated

American Society On The Abuse Of Children

Outstanding Media Coverage

Anna Quindlen Child Welfare League of America Award

Excellence in Reporting in Behalf of Children and Families

Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Award

Exceptional Contribution to the Juvenile Courts

IARRCA “Friend of the Child” Award

Extraordinary Efforts on Behalf of Children

Associated Press Broadcasters Award

First Place

Society of Professional Journalists

Best Coverage of Children’s Issues