'Maria Clara at Ibarra,' GMA docus and programs shortlisted for New York Festivals TV & Film Awards

Nine GMA TV projects have been shortlisted for the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards.

These include eight documentaries by various GMA programs, as well as the hit drama "Maria Clara at Ibarra."

"Maria Clara At Ibarra" was shortlisted under the Entertainment Program: Drama category. The show follows Klay Infantes (Barbie Forteza), a nursing student who is transported to the world of Dr. Jose Rizal's novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo." Her love interest, Fidel, is played by David Licauco.

Among the documentaries, "The Atom Araullo Specials" has a couple in the list. "Eye in the Dark" which tackled the online sexual exploitation of children, was shortlisted under Documentary: Social Issues, while "The Missing," which chronicled missing persons and their loved ones' heartbreaking search, was shortlisted under Documentary: Human Concerns.

"I-Witness" also has a documentary entry titled "Black Soldier Fly" that made the cut in the Science & Technology category. It covered the benefits of the insect, including the ways it helps other animals and plants, as well as help recycle trash.

"Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" ("One at Heart, Jessica Soho") received two nods. "Eleven," or "Once" in Filipino, tells the story of a teenager who thought her growing stomach was a tumor, but it turned out that she was pregnant. It was shortlisted under Documentary: Human Concerns. Meanwhile, "Wounds of Woes," which is about a 14-year-old boy who was suffering from wounds all over his body that was discovered to be lamellar ichthyosis, was shortlisted under Documentary: Health/Medical Information

In addition, "Born to be Wild: Primate Planet" was shortlisted under the Documentary: Environment & Ecology category. The doc enabled viewers to learn more about the life of primates in Banton, Romblon and New Israel Makilala, North Cotabato.

"Reporter's Notebook," made the list with "Our School is Sinking" ("Baha to School"), which revolves around students who have to trek through floods to go to school in the Philippines. It is shortlisted under the Documentary: Community Portraits category.

Stand for Truth's "Runaway Child Bride," which tackles child marriage, is shortlisted under the Documentary: Cultural Issues category.

The New York Festivals TV & Film Awards honors "exceptional and innovative content" and "the many talented men and women who make up the worldwide creative community" from more than 50 countries. —Kimberly Tsao/JCB/LA, GMA Integrated News