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DARCI Creative awarded national Telly Award for Sail Portsmouth documentary

PORTSMOUTH — DARCI Creative has been awarded a Bronze Telly Award in the General Documentary category for The Maiden Voyage: The Origin of Sail Portsmouth, a short documentary created in partnership with Sail Portsmouth. 
 
 
Recognition from the 46th Annual Telly Awards showcases the agency’s continued commitment to meaningful storytelling and high-quality video production. The film explores the origins of Sail Portsmouth through the story of the Venezuelan tall ship Simón Bolívar and the lasting impact that voyage had on the Portsmouth community more than 40 years ago. 
 
Produced by DARCI Creative’s in-house video team, the documentary combines archival storytelling, interviews, and historic imagery to preserve an important piece of local maritime history while connecting it to Sail Portsmouth’s mission today. 
 
“As a Portsmouth native, it was fascinating to learn more about this story and incredibly rewarding to help bring it to life through this documentary,” said Cameron McMaster, associate creative director at DARCI Creative. “Storytelling is at the core of what we do as a video team, and getting the opportunity to preserve and share a story like this is one of the most meaningful parts of our work.” 
 
Sail Portsmouth leaders say the documentary has become an important tool for sharing the organization’s mission and future vision with the broader community. 
 
“It is important to remember the founding roots of any worthwhile organization,” said Phil Von Hemert of Sail Portsmouth. “The Maiden Voyage reminds us of our own. The film captures the spirit of personal growth and the importance of developing communication and understanding between diverse groups of people who value commonality rather than differences. DARCI Creative brought that story to life in a way that feels both authentic and deeply moving.” 
 
Von Hemert also credited the individuals whose contributions helped make the project possible, including Peter Rice, who first proposed the project and participated in the film; Bobbie Sweet, who underwrote production costs and has long supported Sail Portsmouth’s Sea Challenge program; and photographers David J. Murray and Rob Karosis. 
 
The documentary also highlights the parallels between the experiences of the young Venezuelan sailors aboard the Simón Bolívar and today’s students participating in Sail Portsmouth’s Sea Challenge program. 
 
“Just as those sailors were literally learning the ropes needed to safely and efficiently sail the Simón Bolívar to Portsmouth with competence and confidence, our Sea Challenge students are doing the same today,” Von Hemert said. “They are developing resilience, grit, and self-confidence through the experience of a tall ship voyage.” 
 
The Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens and receive more than 13,000 entries globally from advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, streaming networks, and brands. 
 
About DARCI Creative 
DARCI Creative is a full-service integrated marketing agency based in Portsmouth. Since 2006, DARCI has partnered with organizations across industries to deliver strategic marketing, branding, video production, digital experiences, and creative campaigns that drive measurable growth while building meaningful connections. www.darcicreative.com  
 
About Sail Portsmouth 
Sail Portsmouth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching lives through access to maritime experiences, education, and community engagement. Through programs like Sea Challenge, Sail Portsmouth helps young people build confidence, leadership, and seamanship skills aboard traditionally rigged tall ships. www.sailportsmouth.com  
 
About The Telly Awards 
Founded in 1979, The Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens. Receiving more than 13,000 entries globally each year, the awards recognize outstanding work created by advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, streaming platforms, and brands worldwide. www.tellyawards.com  

DARCI Creative awarded national Telly Award for Sail Portsmouth documentary