Aussie TV series Nowhere Boys awarded an International Emmy

MELBOURNE and Sydney filmmakers are celebrating after their youth-targeted TV series Nowhere Boys received global recognition.

Nowhere Boys: The Book of Shadows. Kids TV series. ABC

AUSTRALIAN TV series Nowhere Boys has been awarded an International Emmy.

The show follows four boys who get lost in a forest and discover, when they return home, that they are in an alternate world identical to theirs except for one startling difference — they were never born.

Tony Ayres, Beth Frey and Michael McMahon of Melbourne and Sydney-based Matchbox Pictures accepted the award in the Series category at a ceremony in the exclusive Carlton Hotel in Cannes.

In the second series — which won the award — they have found their way home, but they discover they are not the only ones who crossed back to this universe.

Tony Ayres, Beth Frey and Michael McMahon with their Emmy award for Nowhere Boys.

The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences held the Kids Awards ceremony as part of the MIPTV entertainment market and conference.

Ms Frey said they were deeply honoured to win the award against great competition. She said they were grateful for the support of so many in Australia, including the ABC, Film Victoria and Screen Australia.

Mr Ayres said the award reflected the quality of local TV productions.

“Australian TV punches well above its weight,” he said. “The award is an example of the talent in our country.”

Mr McMahon said they were very proud to have won against phenomenal competition.

A third series of the show is being filmed in Melbourne.

Another Australian company, Melbourne and Los Angeles-based Galaxy Pop, was a finalist in the Animation category for Get Ace.

The series follows the adventures of hapless geek Ace McDougal who, after being accidentally fitted with a pair of hi-tech super-spy braces, finds himself thrown into a world of espionage and adventure.

Galaxy Pop’s co-founder Gian Christian said he and his partner Dina McPherson felt privileged the company had made it as a finalist.

“It was an honoured to be nominated,” he said.

The academy president, Bruce L Paisner, said producers of children’s programming had a great responsibility towards their viewers and the broader audience.

“We are honoured to be recognising and showcasing the world’s best at MIPTV,” he said.

“We congratulate all the winners for their outstanding achievements and for setting the high-quality standard we all expect for kids.”

Shona Rhimes to receive Emmy

Shonda Rhimes sits between two of her leading ladies — Kerry Washington from Scandal, and Ellen Pompeo from Grey’s Anatomy. Picture: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images.

Shonda Rhimes, the key figure behind global hit seriesGrey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Private Practice and How to Get Away with Murder, is to receive an International Emmy Award.

Rhimes will accept the 2016 International Emmy Founders Award at the 44th International Emmy Awards Gala, on Monday, November 21, in New York City.

The award was announced at the Cannes conference.

“Shonda Rhimes is in a league of her own,” Paisner said.

“Not only does she have an entire night of prime time on ABC in the United States, but her groundbreaking shows and iconic characters are avidly followed by over 300 million viewers worldwide, in 67 languages.

“We look forward to honouring her boundless creative artistry and unique production talent with our Founders Award.”

Rhimes said she was honoured by the award.

“I am continually amazed by the global reach of television and have been so fortunate to have fans of my shows around the world,” she said.

“To be recognised for this by the International Television Academy is truly an honour.”