Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, who has been making award-winning films for more than 40 years, will be honored next week at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum’s Hope for Humanity event.
The annual dinner event, held this year on December 5 at the Omni Dallas Hotel, celebrates Holocaust survivors and their strength and passion to educate future generations through their stories.
Each year, the Museum bestows the Hope for Humanity award to “an outstanding individual who demonstrates a dedication to the improvement of society.” Burns will be the recipient of the award this year in recognition of his dedication to documenting and preserving history.
“Telling stories of the past is essential for deciphering our history and building a better future,” Burns said in a written statement, per Dallas Innovates. “I’m deeply honored to receive the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum Hope for Humanity award. This recognition reaffirms the crucial role of storytelling in illuminating the complex beings who call themselves human beings.”
During the event, Burns will discuss his body of work with Kris Boyd, the host and managing editor of Think on KERA.
Burns’ wide-ranging portfolio of films include The Civil War; Baseball; Jazz, The War; The U.S. and the Holocaust; The American Buffalo; and Leonard da Vinci, to name just a few. Burns’ documentaries have earned two Academy Award nominations, 15 Emmy Awards, and two Grammy Awards. He has also received accolades and awards from various other organizations, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum’s mission is to “teach the history of the Holocaust and advance human rights to combat prejudice, hatred, and indifference,” according to the museum’s website. “The Museum teaches students and visitors about some of humanity’s most incredible stories of struggle and courage in an age-appropriate way to empower them to be Upstanders against injustice.”
Tickets for next Thursday’s event are nearly sold out, but persons interested in attending can request to be placed on a waitlist here.