MIPCOM Cannes announced the nominations for the 2024 Diversify TV Awards to be held on the second day of the forthcoming 40th International Co-Production & Entertainment Content Market (21-24 October) in Cannes. The only awards to recognise the promotion of Diversity and Inclusion in television internationally, the Diversify TV Awards are organised by MIPCOM Cannes in collaboration with Founding Partner Diversify TV and in association with Founding Presenting Partner A+E Media Group. This year, the awards received submissions from 29 countries, with nominees hailing from 11 countries including a first nomination to come from Malaysia.
The ceremony will be staged in the Grand Auditorium of the world-renowned Palais des Festivals in Cannes in a prime lunchtime spot on Tuesday 22 October from 12.00 to 13.00. For 2024, awards partners include Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund and Webedia, and supporting partner All3Media International, among other partner companies and organisations.
Open to all MIPCOM Cannes delegates, the awards ceremony will again be hosted by journalist, broadcaster, professional moderator and co-founder of the diverse moderators' bureau "Moderate The Panel", Femi Oke. The actor, broadcaster and disability advocate, Adam Pearson, and the performer, singer, TV host, advocate and drag icon, Nicky Doll, will join Oke as presenters for the ceremony.
The 24 finalists were shortlisted by MIP Markets’ Diversity Advisory Board members and a Special Jury of Industry Experts and Advocacy organisations committed to diversity and inclusion in the global media landscape and everywhere. In addition, this year’s ‘Behind the Scenes Impact Award’, which recognises a person/team endeavouring to represent Diversity and Inclusion ethics and principles behind the scenes of a TV production, is being presented to Banijay Entertainment for its Banijay Launch initiative – a global accelerator programme that discovers and empowers emerging female creators, pairing them with Banijay Entertainment’s global network of creatives with the aim of helping them develop bold new formats from concept to sale.
Lucy Smith, Director of MIPCOM Cannes and MIP Junior referred to the model of commitment to diversity: “The Diversify TV Awards is for everyone looking for fresh stories that break the mould. Our expert jury surveys the world and selects the best content over the last year that exemplifies inclusivity and representation from diverse communities and characters spanning nearly 30 countries. Now in its 8th edition, the MIPCOM Cannes Diversify TV Awards continues to break ground and break barriers," commented.
To be eligible for the MIPCOM Cannes Diversify TV Awards, programmes must demonstrate a fair and balanced representation of Race & Ethnicity, LGBTQIA+ and/or Disabled communities; show a positive impact; stand out in originality and excellence in terms of storytelling, casting and production values; challenge stereotypes and have aired the past year (premiere broadcast or streaming of any season between 22 July 2023 and 21 July 2024 on a linear and/or non-linear platform).
Let's now review the latest updates from the MIPCOM Cannes Diversify TV Awards 2024. First of all, in the category of "Representation of Race and Ethnicity - Scripted," three productions have been nominated. "That Cover Girl" from Malaysia, originally broadcast by Amazon Prime Video and distributed by Creative Stew, is one of them. Another nominee is "Three Little Birds" from the United Kingdom, initially aired on ITV and Britbox, with distribution by Banijay Rights. Lastly, "We Are Lady Parts" (Season 2) from the United Kingdom, broadcast by Channel 4 and Peacock, and distributed by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution, also made the list.
As for "Representation of Race and Ethnicity - Non-Scripted," the nominated shows include "On The Line: The Richard Williams Story" from the United States, originally broadcast on Sky Documentaries and distributed by Fremantle. Another contender is "This Is Indian Country-San Diego" from the United States, broadcast by FNX and distributed by ASD. The United Kingdom's "White Nanny Black Child," broadcast on Channel 5 and distributed by Together Films, also earned a nomination.
Moving on to the "Representation of LGBTQIA+ - Scripted" category, the nominees are "Cris Miró (She/Her/Hers)" from Argentina, originally broadcast by TNT & Flow and distributed by TNT & Flow. Another nominee is "Fellow Travelers" from the United States, broadcast and distributed by Showtime Networks. Additionally, "Lost Boys & Fairies" from the United Kingdom, aired on the BBC and distributed by All3Media, has also been selected.
In the "Representation of LGBTQIA+ - Non-Scripted" category, nominees include "Big Gay Wedding With Tom Allen" from the United Kingdom, broadcast on BBC One and distributed by Banijay Rights. The Dutch show "They and Them," broadcast by VPRO and distributed by Dutch CORE, is also among the nominees. Finally, "Y a une étoile (There's a Star)" from Canada, broadcast on UNIS TV and distributed by FilmOption International, is the third contender.
Regarding "Representation of Disability – Scripted," three productions are competing for the award. They are "Deaf Voice: A Sign-Language Interpreter in Court" from Japan, broadcast by NHK and distributed by NHK Enterprises, "One Of Us S2" from France, broadcast by TF1 and distributed by Federation International, and "The Squeaky Wheel: Canada" from Canada, broadcast on AMI-tv and distributed by Hitsby Entertainment and Shadow Pine Studios.
In the category of "Representation of Disability – Non-Scripted," the nominees are "Gigantene (The Giants)" from Norway, broadcast and distributed by NRK, "New Model Agency" from the United Kingdom, aired on Channel 4 and distributed by All3Media International, and "The Assembly" from the United Kingdom, broadcast on BBC One and distributed by Can't Stop Media.
In the "Representation of Diversity in Kids Programming – Pre-School" category, the nominees include "JoJo & Gran Gran, It's Time to Braid Hair" from the United Kingdom, broadcast by the BBC and produced by BBC Studios, Kids & Family. "Wordsville" from Canada, aired on TVOkids & PBS Thirteen, and "Yukee" from Northern Ireland, also broadcast by the BBC, complete the list of nominees. Finally, in the "Representation of Diversity in Kids Programming – Older Children" category, the nominees are "Beyond Black Beauty" from Canada and Belgium, aired on Family Channel and distributed by Sinking Ship Entertainment, "Dream It To Be It" from Canada, broadcast on TVO & Knowledge and distributed by Lopii Productions & Bomanbridge Media, and finally, "Windcatcher" from Australia, broadcast by Stan and distributed by the Australian Children's Television Foundation.