J.J. ABRAMS TO RECEIVE 2013 INTERNATIONAL EMMY® FOUNDERS AWARD

Trailblazing Writer/Director to be Honored at the International Emmy® Awards in New York, on November 25th

New York, May 1, 2013 – The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences will present the 2013 International Emmy® Founders Award to renowned film and television Creator/Writer/Director J.J. Abrams. Academy President & CEO, Bruce L. Paisner, announced today that Abrams will accept the Award –which recognizes an individual who crosses cultural boundaries to touch our common humanity– at the 41st International Emmy® Awards Gala, on Monday, November 25, 2013, in New York City.

“J.J. Abrams is a master of all forms of entertainment who has made an indelible mark on our global culture,” said Paisner. “Even at this comparatively early stage of his career, he has earned this international recognition and we look forward to presenting the Founders Award to him.”

“I am deeply grateful to Mr. Paisner and the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for this honor, and will thank them, perhaps to an embarrassing degree, in person, in November.” said Abrams.

On top of his currently running television series “Person of Interest”, “Fringe” and “Revolution”, Abrams has just been announced as the Director of the next installment of the Star Wars saga, set for release in 2015. His latest feature, “Star Trek Into Darkness”, bows May 2013.

J.J. Abrams is the founder and President of Bad Robot Productions, which he runs with his producing partner Bryan Burk. Formed in 2001, Bad Robot is partnered with Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Studios, and has produced films and television series such as “Cloverfield,” “Star Trek,” “Morning Glory,” “Super 8,” “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,” ABC’s “Alias” and “Lost,” Fox’s “Fringe,” and CBS’s “Person of Interest.” Born in New York and raised in Los Angeles, Abrams attended Sarah Lawrence College where he co-wrote a treatment that became the basis for Disney’s “Taking Care Of Business.” In years following, he wrote or co-wrote such films as “Regarding Henry,” “Forever Young,” “Armageddon,” and “Joy Ride.” In 1998, Abrams co-created his first television series “Felicity” with collaborator and long-time friend Matt Reeves. Abrams served as Executive Producer for the series’ four-season run on The WB. Additionally, Abrams created and executive produced “Alias” for ABC, and co-created (with Damon Lindelof) and executive produced ABC’s “Lost.” In 2006, Abrams directed his first feature film, “Mission: Impossible 3.” His second feature directorial effort “Star Trek” was released in May 2009. “Super 8,” written and directed by Abrams and produced by Abrams, Burk and Steven Spielberg, was released in June 2011. Abrams received Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series for the “Lost” pilot as well as Outstanding Drama Series for “Lost.” He also received Emmy nominations for his “Alias” and “Lost” pilot scripts. In addition, Abrams composed the theme music for “Alias,” “Fringe,” “Lost,” “Person of Interest,” and “Revolution,” and he co-wrote the theme song for “Felicity.” Abrams presently serves as Executive Producer of CBS’s “Person of Interest,” Fox’s “Fringe,” and NBC’s “Revolution.”

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is a membership based organization comprised of leading media and entertainment figures from over 50 countries and 500 companies from all sectors of television including internet, mobile and technology. The Academy’s yearly schedule of events includes the prestigious International Emmy® Awards Ceremony held in New York, The International Digital Emmy® Awardsat MIPTV and a series of industry events such as Academy Day, The International Emmy® World Television Festival and Panels on substantive industry topics. The Academy was chartered with a mission to recognize excellence in television produced outside of the United States and it presents International Emmy® Awards in the following twenty categories: Arts Programming; Best Performance by an Actress; Best Performance by an Actor; Current Affairs; Comedy; Documentary; Drama Series; News; Non-Scripted Entertainment; Telenovela; TV Movie/Mini-Series; Digital Program: Children & Young People; Digital Program: Fiction; Digital Program: Non-Fiction; Kids: Preschool; Kids: Animation; Kids: Factual; Kids: Non-Scripted Entertainment; Kids: Series; Kids: TV Movie/Mini-Series. For more information, go to www.iemmys.tv

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