The finalists for Best Cultural Feature in this year’s INSP Awards have been chosen – and it’s time to find out who’s made the final five!
The nominees for the Best Cultural Feature all came from the hundreds of contributions we’ve received over the past year to our unique News Service.
Our shortlisting panel have selected their top five features, revealed below, from which our international editorial judging panel chose the winner.
The awards take place during the Global Street Paper Summit in Manchester in two weeks’ time, where the winner will be unveiled!
Congratulations to our finalists, and keep an eye on the INSP website and social media over the coming days, as we announce more finalists for all our categories.
The Finalists:
Long player: an interview with evergreen singer Petula Clark
By Sophie Haydock
She’s been covered by Frank Sinatra, danced with Fred Astaire and caused unexpected controversy by being the first white women to touch a black man on U.S. television in 1968 – but 84-year-old Petula Clark has no plans to quit her long career any time soon. Following the release of her new album, From Now On, the singer shares a life of fighting shyness and depression to shine onstage.
Street Cat Bob visits Norwegian street paper =Oslo
By Even Skyrud
Now a genuine movie star, Street Cat Bob and his owner, former Big Issue vendor James Bowen, recently visited the Norwegian offices of street paper =Oslo. James talked to staff and vendors about how his life has changed thanks to the ginger moggy.
Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland: the gift that keeps on giving
By Andrew Burns
The Big Issue’s Andrew Burns recently took a tour of Northern Ireland’s stunning landmarks – the backdrop for TV sensation Game of Thrones. On location, he talks to the people who became part of the country’s most lucrative opportunity. The programme has brought £166m into the province’s economy, and continues to bridge old divides. “Landowners, neighbours, councils, environmental agencies – they used to be afraid of Game of Thrones. Now they love it,” explains location manager Naomi Liston.
Jon Bon Jovi: “It’s not rock and roll to start a foundation that feeds homeless people”
By Terri White
Jon Bon Jovi has sold more than 130 million records. He’s also a one-man anti-poverty movement. In this interview with the Big Issue, Bon Jovi talks candidly about his music legacy, the shock departure of guitarist Richie Sambora from the band, and his charity work tackling homelessness and hunger. Speaking ahead of the US Presidential election, the strong Democrat supporter also predicted that Trump did have a chance of winning. “I’m not defined just by the music, that’s a calling card. I’m very proud of the foundation’s work,” says the 54-year-old.
No seconds: the photographer humanising death row inmates by capturing their last meals
By Whitley O’Connor
Rooted in religion, superstition and compassion, the final meal of U.S. death row inmates dates as far back as capital punishment itself. World renowned photographer Henry Hargreaves aims to humanise inmates via their last meal requests, captured in his book, A Year of Killing. “As I read about their requests, they became people in my mind and not just statistics,” Hargreaves tells The Curbside Chronicle.