Rich Borenstein Tapped by MPT As Co-Producer for Landmark Three-Hour Vietnam Documentary

March 31, 2016

For immediate release

Contact:

Tom Williams, APR

Office: 410-581-4031

Rich Borenstein tapped by MPT as co-producer for landmark three-hour Vietnam documentary

OWINGS MILLS, MD –Richard (Rich) Borenstein, a veteran film producer and retired U.S. Air Force officer, is working with MPT Executive Producer Ken Day to complete the new three-hour documentaryMaryland Vietnam War Stories, which will premiere on three successive weeknight evenings, May 24, 25 and 26 on MPT-HD. Borenstein is a resident of Newport News, Va.

Three years in the making, the film traces the chronology of the war through the personal stories of nearly 100 Maryland-area Vietnam veterans interviewed for the production. Maryland Vietnam War Stories recounts the harrowing – and occasionally humorous – experiences of military service members during the war and the often-moving insights of these participants some 50 years after the conflict.

Day and Borenstein garnered 120 hours of footage from interviews with roughly 300 veterans from all military branches in preparation for the production. The film includes veterans who reside in Maryland, Delaware, southern Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C. A national version of the film, for distribution to public television stations across the country, will be available for airing immediately following the MPT premiere.See a two-minute preview of Maryland Vietnam War Stories.

MPT Salutes Vietnam Veterans, a multi-year initiative and the largest in the station’s history, recognizes and thanks those who served in the U.S. military during the Vietnam era. Information about MPT’s Vietnam initiative and the documentary film can be found at mpt.org/vietnam, and at social media sites @MPTSalutesVets on Twitter and MPT Salutes Vietnam Veterans on Facebook.

During his Air Force career, Borenstein served as a director and producer of Air Force documentary, public affairs and training films shot throughout the U.S., Latin America and Europe.He then was chief of the documentary unit, stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, responsible for motion picture and still photo documentation of significant Air Force operations in the eastern U.S., and later was commander of the audiovisual unit assigned to Panama, responsible for support in Central and South America. Borenstein also served for five years as chief of the Creative Division for Air Force Recruiting Service, producing award-winning commercials and recruiting films. His work there includes Red Flag, the film industry's first short subject in Dolby®-stereo and Panavision®. He also helped pioneer the first stereo public service announcement for broadcast television. Borenstein retired with the rank of major after a 20-year military career.

Following his Air Force service, Borensteinworked at – and later became co-owner of – Newport News-based Cinebar Productions Inc., serving in roles including producer, director, scriptwriter and editor. He conceived and developed the national syndicated documentary Tuskegee Airmen: American Heroes. Borenstein produced and directedJamestown Rediscovered: A World Uncovered for History Channel and the films Jamestown: The Buried Truth, Preserving Virginia: The Future of History and A Generation of Warriors for public television.He also has provided numerous museums and associations with consulting services for the development of film, video, multi-media productions, and interactive programs.

His production awards include three Golden Eagles from the Council of International Nontheatrical Events, gold CINDYs from the International Association of Visual Communicators, gold medals from the New York and Houston film festivals and numerous Telly Awards. He is currently a member of the Telly Silver Council, which judges entries for the award program.

Borenstein earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the United States Air Force Academy.

About MPT

Launched in 1969 and headquartered in Owings Mills, MD, Maryland Public Television is a nonprofit, state-licensed public television network and member of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). MPT’s six transmitters cover Maryland plus portions of contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Frequent winner of regional Emmy® awards, MPT creates local, regional, and national television shows. Beyond broadcast, MPT’s commitment to professional educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is delivered through year-round instructional events and the super-website Thinkport, which garners in excess of 19 million page views annually. MPT’s community engagement connects viewers with local resources on significant health, education, and public interest topics through year-round outreach events, viewer forums, program screenings, and phone bank call-in opportunities.

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