Exclusive Strategic Partnership Advances Digital Emmy Awards

The world’s best interactive content will be honoured at the Digital Emmy® Awards presented by the International Academy of Arts & Sciences during the MIPTV 2014 Opening Night Party in Cannes, France on Monday April 7, with the support of Canada’s Bell Fund.  This is the second year of this exclusive, long-term partnership that awards excellence in three categories:  Digital Fiction, Digital Non-Fiction and Digital Children and Young People.

“The Digital Emmys represent the epicenter of cross-platform excellence, drawing everyone together each year in Cannes to celebrate top talent and productions,” said Bell Fund board member Catherine Warren. “In seeking a leading, long-term association for the Bell Fund’s sponsorship, the Digital Emmys were our first choice –  both the Awards and the Academy stand for achievement at the highest level.”

Nominations will be announced in February for this year’s Awards.  Judging is being undertaken by digital media industry professionals around the world.  The deadline for entry for digital awards was November 2013.

Nominated programs will also be showcased during a special session at MIPCube in Cannes, with the participation of the nominees and hosted by the Bell Fund.

“As Canada continues to receive global recognition for digital innovation in television, together we built an exclusive relationship between Canada’s original convergence fund and new media’s preeminent prize,” added Warren, who is also president of FanTrust Entertainment Strategies and a member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Organised by Reed MIDEM, the MIPTV entertainment market takes place in Cannes from 7-10 April.

Click here to read the french version of the Bell Fund release.

The Bell Fund provides grants to Canadian independent producers who develop and produce excellent cross-platform digital content designed to complement and enhance associated television programs.  It has invested $134 M in the production of 1300 cross-platform projects since 1997.  The Bell Fund also undertakes training, research, business development and promotion for the digital media industry.

The Bell Fund receives annual contributions of approximately $14 M from Canada’s Bell TV as part of its broadcast distribution undertaking (BDU) contributions to the industry.  In addition, the Bell Fund receives interest generated by a $10M endowment and contributions from Aliant. The Bell Fund is incorporated as a not-for-profit organization, governed by an independent Board of Directors representing various sectors of the television and new media industry.

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® Awards at MIPTV and a series of industry events such as Academy Day, The International Emmy® World Television Festival and Panels on substantive industry topics.

About MIPTV – Founded in 1963, MIPTV is the annual international market and creative forum for content on every screen. It brings professionals from the global TV and online content industry to Cannes, France, for four days of exhibition, conferences, screenings and networking. It is a key market for buying and selling content and early-stage content development. MIPCube constitutes a special programme exploring tech and creative approaches with the community re-inventing the content experience within MIPTV. The weekend prior to MIPTV, MIPDoc and MIPFormats constitute a two-day showcase for non-fiction and unscripted programming. In 2013, MIPTV celebrated its 50th anniversary. www.miptv.com