Mipcom Cannes unveiled this year's winners for the 7th Mipcom Cannes Diversify TV Awards, the industry’s only awards to champion and promote diversity and inclusion in television internationally.
Following submissions from 27 countries, 8 winners were announced from a longlist of 24 nominees live in Cannes during the awards ceremony, which took place in the Palais des Festivals and was hosted by international journalist and anchor Femi Oke. Finalists were short-listed by the MIP Markets Diversity Advisory Board and Short List Jury, composed of a peer group of international industry professionals, with winners chosen by a Final Round Jury of leading advocacy organisations and specialised publications within Diversity and Inclusion including GADIM, GLAAD, SCOPE and the Minority Rights Group. Amongst those presenting awards at the ceremony were award-winning Muslim playwright and performer Bilal Baig, and celebrated Paralympian and documentary maker Ellie Simmonds OBE. A total of 165 submissions were received for the 2023 edition.
The Diversify TV Awards are organized by Mipcom Cannes in collaboration with founding partner Diversify TV, and in association with Founding Presenting Partner A+E Media Group and Data Presenting Partner Gracenote. Other award partners include All3Media International, Iron Mountain, Telefilm Canada and The Canada Media Fund, OUTtv, The United Nations Media Compact, D.I.M.E.S., and Lightboat Media among other supporting partner companies and organisations.
The list of 2023 Diversify TV Awards winners includes "Inside our Autistic Minds" from the UK, produced by BBC Studios, in the Representation of Disability - Non-Scripted category, with BBC Two as its Original Broadcaster and BBC Studios as a distributor, as well as "About Antoine" from Canada, produced by ComediHa! in the Representation of Disability - Scripted category. The title was originally broadcasted by Club illico, TVA, and is distributed by Amuz Distribution.
The slate of winners also includes "Nights in Tefía" from Spain, produced by Buendia Estudios Canarias with the participation of Atresmedia TV as representation of the LGBTQIA+ - Scripted category. The title, produced by Buendia Estudios Canarias with the participation of Atresmedia TV, was originally broadcasted by ATRESplayer, and is distributed by Buendia Estudios Canarias. The selection for the representation of LGBTQIA+ - Non-Scripted category is "Lotus Sports Club" from Cambodia. The title, produced by Document Our History NOW and RoCK, was originally broadcasted by TVK National Television of Cambodia and is distributed by Dutch Core.
The representation of the Race and Ethnicity - Scripted category is "Little Bird" from Canada, produced by Rezolution Pictures and OP Little Bird, and distributed by Fremantle. The title was originally broadcasted by Bell Media and APTN. The title selected for the Race and Ethnicity – Non-Scripted category include "The Swap" from Australia, originally broadcasted by SBS Australia, and produced by Southern Pictures.
For the representation of Diversity in Kids Programming - Pre-School is "Reu and Harper's Wonder World" from the UK, originally broadcasted and distributed by Channel 5, as well as Doc Hearts Ltd. The selection for the Diversity in Kids Programming - Older Children category is "Phoenix Rise" from the UK, produced by BBC Studios Kids & Family, originally broadcasted by BBC iPlayer and distributed by Sinking Ship.
A special recognition award, The Behind The Scenes Impact was given to Deborah Williams OBE (UK) CEO, Creative Diversity Network (CDN). This special recognition award was presented for Williams’ three decade career driving change in perceptions of disability and increased inclusion across television, film and theatrical industries as an artist, activist and latterly an influential policy maker and executive.
