Celebrating voices: A heartwarming evening at the mipcom cannes diversity TV awards

An evening of recognition and celebration

On Tuesday afternoon, the Grand Auditorium in Cannes was alive with excitement as industry insiders gathered for the 8th edition of the Mipcom Cannes Diversity TV Awards. The event began with an inspiring introduction by the Mipcom director, who highlighted the significance of these awards in promoting diversity and inclusion in the global television industry.

Honoring the pioneers of diversity

Standing alongside the director, an esteemed member of the MIP Markets’ Diversity Advisory Board shared his pride in being a founding sponsor of the awards. Reflecting on the modest beginnings of the event, he emphasized the remarkable progress made in amplifying diverse voices. “When we commit to elevate authentic voices, we get spectacular voices,” he noted, setting a hopeful tone for the evening.

Celebrating the champions of change

The ceremony, hosted by media expert and co-founder of the diverse moderators’ bureau “Moderate The Panel,” was co-anchored by a renowned British actor and disability advocate. The actor, who starred in the impactful movie A Different Man, shared heartfelt thanks to the passionate creatives driving meaningful change in the industry.

A platform for new voices

One of the evening’s highlights was the Behind the Scenes Impact Award, which went to the Banijay Launch initiative. Described as a “global accelerator program,” Banijay Launch aims to discover and empower emerging female creators, connecting them with the expansive Banijay Entertainment network to help develop bold new formats.

Endemol Shine North America’s CEO, upon receiving the award, stressed the importance of creating opportunities for women and fostering their creative ideas. She also announced that a second round of applications for this influential initiative was now open.

A showcase of impactful storytelling

Among the numerous awards handed out, the Representation of LGBTQIA+ – Scripted Award went to the BBC’s queer drama Lost Boys & Fairies. The series follows the touching story of Gabriel, a singer at Cardiff’s queer club ‘Neverland,’ and his partner Andy as they navigate the complexities of adoption and parenthood.

The show’s acclaim at various fiction festivals highlights its profound impact, and its upcoming broadcast on Arte France in 2025 is eagerly anticipated.

Shining a light on racial and ethnic diversity

Channel 5’s documentary White Nanny Black Child earned the Representation of Race and Ethnicity Award – Non Scripted. Directed by Andy Mundy-Catle, the film explores the historical phenomenon of over 70,000 West African children fostered by white British families between 1955 and 1995.

One of the evening’s most poignant moments was when the presenter shared her personal connection to the film, having been temporarily fostered by a white family during her childhood.

Celebrating scripted excellence

The ITV/Britbox production Three Little Birds won the Representation of Race and Ethnicity – Scripted Award. This six-part drama, inspired by the creator’s mother’s journey from Jamaica to Britain, vividly portrays the experiences of three women starting new lives in the late 1950s.

Canada’s triumphant entries

Canada, a major supporter of the event, took home honors in two categories. The show Y a Une étoile, celebrating a young transgender musician’s journey, won the Representation of LGBTQIA+ – Non Scripted Award. Meanwhile, the pre-school program Wordsville, a literary mystery series for children, received the Representation of Diversity in Kids Programme Award.

France and Norway’s noteworthy contributions

France’s acclaimed series One of Us won the Representation of Disability – Scripted Award. The series, praised for its heartfelt portrayal of tolerance and inclusivity, has already garnered multiple awards and significant viewership.

Norway’s Gigantene (The Giants), a documentary series following the nation’s first football team for little people, won the Representation of Disability – Non Scripted Award. Through this poignant series, viewers gain an intimate understanding of the players’ lives and the challenges they face.

Spotlight on Australian diversity

The Australian family film Windcatcher celebrated the Representation of Diversity in Kids Programming – Older Children category. This heartwarming story follows Percy Boy Collins and his friends as they overcome obstacles and emerge as local heroes.

Embracing the diverse future of television

The evening was a testament to the industry’s growing commitment to diversity and inclusion. Each award serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling in shaping perspectives and fostering empathy across cultures.

As the industry continues to evolve, events like the Mipcom Cannes Diversity TV Awards pave the way for a more inclusive and representative future. Share your thoughts on these groundbreaking achievements and stay updated with the latest in television and film by following our updates.

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