Month: September 2024

New York, September 11, 2024 – The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced today that stand-up comedian & actor Vir Das will host the International Emmy^® Awards, on Monday, November 25, 2024, in New York City.

Das returns to the International Emmys as Host after being nominated in the Comedy category in 2021 and winning in 2023 for his most recent Netflix comedy special Landing.

“We’re delighted to welcome back Vir Das to our stage and to add International Emmy^® Host to his impressive list of talents.” said Bruce L. Paisner, President & CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. “With his unique humor and perspective on the world, he now joins a distinguished group of Gala hosts over the years who fit in perfectly with our global audience.”

Das is a world-renowned stand-up comedian and a Bollywood star. He is currently on his international Mind Fool tour, where he is stopping in countries on every continent except Antarctica. This is his most international tour yet bringing him to iconic venues spanning from Carnegie Hall in New York City to the Esplanade in Singapore to the Dubai Opera in the UAE and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

“I am so happy to be hosting the International Emmys. It’s a massive prestigious night to uphold makers from across a world that I believe, is making its best content.” said Vir Das. “I know first-hand how it can be life changing.”

In addition to his success on the stand-up comedy stage, Das has created, produced, and starred in multiple series, including the ABC spy drama-comedy Whiskey Cavalier, the thriller Hasmokh for Netflix, and the travel show Jestination Unknown for Amazon. He starred in Judd Apatow’s Netflix feature The Bubble and is currently developing his own single-camera comedy with CBS Studios and Andy Samberg. Beyond his comedic and acting chops, Das is also the lead singer for India’s comedy-rock band Alien Chutney.

Das’s fourth and most recent Netflix comedy special Landing earned him a 2023 International Emmy^® win for Comedy, his first win and second nomination. His previous Netflix special Vir Das: For India was nominated for a 2021 International Emmy^® for Comedy as well. Landing, which Das also directed, is a story about freedom, foolishness, the west, the east, the notion of home, and what it means to be a citizen of one nation in a global world.

Over 1000 international media and entertainment executives convene in New York each year for the International Emmy^® Awards Gala and International Emmy^® World Television Festival. In addition to the presentation of Emmy^® Awards for programming, the Academy will present two Special awards. the International Emmy^® Directorate, and Founders Awards.

This year’s Gala partners are Ay Yapim, Ernst & Young, Globo, Mediafellows, Mip, Sofitel NY and Variety. 

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences recognizes excellence in television produced outside of the United States with the prestigious Emmy^® Award at the International Emmy^® Awards Gala held in New York City, every November. Currently celebrating programming across varied areas including Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Kids, News, Non-Scripted Entertainment, Performances and Short-Form, it also presents two Special Awards, the International Emmy^® Directorate, and Founders Awards.

Beyond its awards activity, the International Academy is a membership-based organization comprised of leading media and entertainment figures from 60+ countries from all sectors of television for whom it organizes a series of high-level business, networking, and social events throughout the world and online. For more information go to iemmys.tv.

Media Contacts

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Eva Obadia, Senior Director, Communications & Partnerships
eva.obadia@iemmys.tv

The Lippin Group
Matt Biscuiti
matt@lippingroup.com

New York, September 3, 2024 – The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced today that David E. Kelley, the prolific writer and producer behind iconic shows such as Ally McBeal, L.A. Law and Big Little Lies, will receive the 2024 International Emmy^® Founders Award at the 52nd International Emmy^® Awards Gala, on Monday, November 25, in New York City.

“Every generation has a favorite David E. Kelley show and that’s because David Kelley has been turning out television hits since L.A. Law forty years ago. He crafts memorable television for viewers across the globe.” said International Academy President & CEO, Bruce L. Paisner. “We look forward to recognizing his tremendous talent with the Founders Award.”

“To be recognized by the International Academy in this way is truly overwhelming. This award stands as a testament to the incredible teams and individuals I have had the honor to collaborate with over the years,” said Kelley. “I am especially grateful for the many opportunities I’ve been given in being able to share stories and push boundaries of what television can be.”

Award-winning writer/producer David E. Kelley is the mind behind some of America’s most groundbreaking and distinctive television dramas that address contemporary issues including social justice, diversity, and privilege. He is the creator of the Emmy^®, Peabody, and Golden Globe Award-winning shows Boston Legal, The Practice, and Ally McBeal, and the critically acclaimed dramatic series Big Little Lies, Boston Public, Chicago Hope, and Picket Fences.

To date, Kelley is the only Producer to ever win the Emmy^® Award for Outstanding Comedy and Outstanding Drama, Ally McBeal and The Practice, respectively, in the same year (1999). This year, Kelley produced Presumed Innocent, which held the top spot on AppleTV+, and Netflix’s A Man in Full, which reached #1 among the streamer’s Top 10 most-watched shows in the U.S. In addition to those recent successes Kelley has created multiple #1 shows across various streaming platforms in recent years, including Nine Perfect Strangers, The Undoing and Love & Death. His first documentary project, Hope in the Water, featuring Martha Stewart and Shailene Woodley, premiered earlier this year on PBS. Up next, Kelley is writing/producing Margo’s Got Money Troubles for Apple TV+, starring Elle Fanning.

Before venturing into the world of entertainment, Kelley was an attorney practicing law in Boston. While still a lawyer, he wrote the feature film From the Hip, which earned the attention of L.A. Law co-creator Steven Bochco. In addition to his incredible TV career, Kelley is the founder of Riverence, the largest grower of steelhead and rainbow trout in North America, with approximately 20 sustainably managed farms in Idaho and Washington State. Kelley’s background in law greatly influenced his ability to create thought-provoking television that resonates with viewers across the world.

Past recipients of the International Emmy^® Founders Award include Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, J.J. Abrams, Jesse Armstrong, Shonda Rhimes and Ryan Murphy among many others. Kelley will accept the Special Emmy^®, in New York City, on Monday, November 25^th at the International Emmy^® Awards black-tie Gala. 

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences recognizes excellence in television produced outside of the United States with the prestigious Emmy^® Award at the International Emmy^® Awards Gala held in New York City, every November. Currently celebrating programming across varied areas including Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Kids, News, Non-Scripted Entertainment, Performances and Short-Form, it also presents two Special Awards, the International Emmy^® Directorate, and Founders Awards.

Beyond its awards activity, the International Academy is a membership-based organization comprised of leading media and entertainment figures from 60+ countries from all sectors of television for whom it organizes a series of high-level business, networking, and social events throughout the world and online. For more information go to iemmys.tv.

Media Contacts

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Eva Obadia, Senior Director, Communications & Partnerships
eva.obadia@iemmys.tv

The Lippin Group
Matt Biscuiti
matt@lippingroup.com