NEW DELHI: Algorithms, Ian McDonald’s award-winning documentary on India’s young blind chess players, is among films shortlisted for the prestigious Grierson Award in the Best newcomer documentary category.

The final nominations for the Grierson awards will be announced on 16 September prior to the awards ceremony in London on 3 November.

Excited about the nomination, the British filmmaker said, “We are really thrilled to make the shortlist. It is a great honour and it also means it will bring the story of India’s blind chess community to the attention of an audience in the UK and beyond.”

Directed by McDonald and produced by Indian producer Geetha J, the documentary has been screened at over twenty international film festivals and won six awards, including Best Film at Film SouthAsia in Kathmandu.  It is the first ever feature documentary on Blind Chess. 

Filmed over three years from just before the World Junior Blind Chess Championship in Sweden in 2009 to just after the next championship in Greece in 2011, it follows three talented boys from different parts of India and a totally blind player turned pioneer, who not only aims to situate India on a global stage but also wants all blind children to play chess

The New York based First Run Features, a leading distributor of independent films in America, acquired the North American rights to the film early this year.

Established in 1972, the Grierson Awards commemorate the pioneering Scottish documentary filmmaker John Grierson, widely regarded as the father of the documentary.