NYF TV & Film Awards 2013 winners announced at NAB

The Grand Jury awarded 119 Gold World Medals, 145 Silver, 104 Bronze, and 327 Finalist Certificates from entries submitted from 50 countries. The following companies were honoured with Grand Awards: Done and Dusted, UK for Olympic Opening Ceremony; A&E, USA for Paul Simon's Graceland Journey: Under African Skies; and History Channel, USA for Hatfields & McCoys.

ESPN, USA earned the title of Broadcaster of the Year for the 6th year consecutive year and was recognised with 12 Gold World Medals, 20 Silver, 8 Bronze, and 22 Finalist Certificates.

"Excellence, innovation and storytelling have always been ESPN hallmarks and we're thrilled the NY Festivals Awards have again recognised these qualities and we are proud to again be named Broadcaster of the Year," said John Wildhack, ESPN executive vice president, production. "Led by SportsCenter, Outside the Lines and E:60, our shows are distinguished by features that inform, entertain and often break new ground."

The Edge Picture Company was honoured with the title Production Company of the Year for the 7th year in a row. The London-based company earned 2 Gold World Medals, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze, and 6 Finalist Certificates.

"Here at The Edge, we're deeply honoured to have been awarded the New York Festival's Production Company of the Year, again for an amazing 7th year in a row. For any production company this award is the ultimate accolade, and we're overjoyed that our hard-work and commitment to corporate film-making continues to be recognised by this internationally respected and highly competitive Festival. Thanks must go to all our hard-working teams and of course to our many clients, who continue to support our passion for pushing creative boundaries to produce inspirational films," says Phil Blundell, director, The Edge Picture Company

New York Festivals honoured Susan Zirinsky, senior executive producer of the CBS News broadcast 48 HOURS with the third annual NYF Lifetime Achievement Award. Erin Moriarty, correspondent for 48 HOURS, presented the award to Zirinksy, whose extensive journalism career has provided her with a front seat to some of the most iconic moments in TV news history.

"Olympic Opening Ceremony" Done and Dusted, UK Special Events was awarded the Grand Trophy. The award-winning entry has become one of the most watched programs in history with an estimated 1 billion viewers worldwide.

"Paul Simon's Graceland Journey: Under African Skies," A&E, USA The Arts was honoured with the Grand Trophy, and features Paul Simon as he travels back to South Africa on the 25th anniversary of his historic Graceland album.

"Hatfields & McCoys," History, USA Mini-Series was recognised with the Grand Award. The series, featuring an all star cast, led by Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton, chronicles the true story of a legendary family feud.

Chris Brown, executive vice president of conventions & business operations for NAB, presented a special award celebrating the 100 year anniversary of Indian Cinema to Dr. Kamal Haasan, legendary Indian film actor, screenwriter, producer and director.

The following prominent industry executives presented awards to this year's winning entrants: Chris Brown, NAB; Jodain Massad, Kansas City Chiefs; Roni Selig, CNN; Marco Frascarelli, and Mia Van Der Heyden, Temps Mort; Patrick Rutnam & Frederick-James Lobato, A Common Man; and Brian Schulz, Brooklyn Castle.

The newly launched Best Performance by an Actress/Actor category honoured Troian Bellisario for "WIGS' Lauren" with a Gold World Medal, and Julia Stiles for "WIGS' Blue" with a Bronze in the Best Performance by an Actress category. Actress Maalaala Mo Kaya in "Remembering" ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation was honoured with Finalist Certificate. Robert Taylor "Longmire" A&E received a Bronze World Medal; and Adam Zwar "Lowdown" ABC, Australia garnered a Finalist Certificate in the Best Performance by an Actor category.

"Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" Sony Pictures Television/ Crackle, and "Fresh Guacamole By PES" Showtime earned Gold World Medals in the Online Entertainment Program category, and "Early Cuts" Dexter Showtime, and "Temps mort / Time out" Societe Radio-Canada /Productions Babel received Silver Medals. "The Dalai Lama at St Paul's" CTN Communications/The John Templeton Foundation, Online Special Events and "Memorable Moments. The Olympics." Yahoo! Studios, Online Sport Program were honoured with Gold Medals.

CNN's 24-hour news coverage took centre stage earning a total of 7 Gold World Medals, 5 Silver, 2 Bronze and 8 Finalist Certificates. The network received top honours for their Gold Medal coverage for "Selling a Miracle," "CNN Presents: Soldier Guinea Pigs," "Syria: Inside Aleppo," "CNN Series of Reports from Homs, Syria by an Anonymous Journalist/Filmmaker, " "Refund Robbery," "Awra Damon: Homs Wounded," and "AC360: Kids on Race: The Hidden Picture." And, Australian Broadcasting Corporation "Inside West Papua"; ESPN's Outside the Lines' "Kyle Maynard: No Excuses," "Monika Korra: Breaking the Silence," and "Defiance: The Story of FC Start," were awarded Gold Medals.

The spotlight was on Prime Time Promos with "London Calling Brand Trail" BBC Worldwide / BBC Global News; "America's Got Talent 'Magnet'" NBC, and "Crimson Petal Sizzle" Encore Starz Entertainment taking home Gold Medals. HBO's "Hemingway & Gellhorn Behind The Scenes Campaign," "Boardwalk Empire S3 Campaign," "The Newsroom Trailer #1," and "LUCK Campaign" along with Showtime's "Writers Room Campaign" Weeds and "Mirrors" The Borgias received Silver Medals.

"Brooklyn Castle" Producers Distribution Agency; "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" Show of Force/PBS; "Perfectly Normal" Bunim-Murray; "Good Karma $1" Kids At Play and Fearless Cottage; and "A Hell of a Living" ANTENA 3; each earned Gold World Medals for their documentary work. Other documentaries earning honours include "Exposure: The Other Side of Jimmy Savile" ITV Studio; "The World According to Lance" Australian Broadcasting Corporation; and "KBS Special- Kim Jong-il" Korean Broadcasting System garnered Silver Medals.

Each year, NYF, in collaboration with the United Nations Department of Public Information, selects entries that exemplify the aims and ideals of the United Nations, and honours them with the United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI) awards. "Inside Story," Discovery DCEGP, USA - Society & Social Issues, and "Once Upon a Time in Cabramatta," Fredbird Entertainment and Northern Pictures, Australia - Community Portraits earned Gold UNDPI Awards. "Perfectly Normal," Bunim-Murray Productions, USA - Documentaries garnered a Bronze UNDPI.

NYF's 2013 Television & Film Awards ceremony and acceptance speeches will be available for viewing on the International Television & Film Awards website. To view this year's award winners: http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/winners/2013/ or
http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/nabshow2013/mobile/. For more information visit: www.newyorkfestivals.com.