‘You Can’t Ask That’.
Two ABC series, You Can’t Ask That and What It’s Like, are among 21 shows from around the world nominated for MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards.
This is the third edition of the awards, to be presented October 14 in Cannes, which are designed to honour “inclusive content that impacts and inspires audiences around the globe”.
Factual series You Can’t Ask That, which sees viewers pose questions to misunderstood and marginalised groups, is a finalist in the Representation of LGBTQ+ Non-Scripted category. It is an original format that ABC Commercial has sold to 10 countries, including Israel, France, Spain, English and French speaking Canada, the Netherlands, Norway and Italy, putting it among the most successful formats for the broadcaster.
The program is also a finalist for MIPCOM’s best Entertainment Format of the Year at the Television Business International – Content Innovation Awards.
Children’s series What It’s Like has been nominated for the Kids Programming (all genres) award. The series sees children from a variety of backgrounds to speak directly to camera, sharing stories about their lives, hopes and dreams, and hears children talk about subjects such as being a refugee, living with a disability, being adopted and having same-sex parents.
ABC director entertainment and specialist said Michael Carrington said: “Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the ABC’s commitment to telling distinctive Australian stories for audiences here and around the world. You Can’t Ask That and What It’s Like give a voice to people whose views, stories and perspectives aren’t often seen or heard, promoting acceptance and inclusion for some of our most misunderstood or marginalised community members. Congratulations to our ABC teams and partners for receiving this recognition on the international stage.”
The winning programs will be chosen by charitable organisations that campaign for equality and inclusion, including GADIM, GLAAD, ILGA-Europe, Minority Rights, Race Equality Foundation, SCOPE, Show Racism the Red Card, and Sporting Equals.
Last year, Epic Films’ First Day and Seven Studios’ Home and Away won MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards, First Day awarded the kids prize and Home and Away the award representation of LGBTQ, scripted.
The full list of nominees:
MIPCOM Diversify TV’s Excellence Award for Representation of LGBTQ+ – Scripted
The Bold Type
Production: Universal Television
Distribution: NBCUniversal International Distribution
Original Broadcaster: Freeform
Country: USA
Vida
Production: Big Beach and Chingona Productions in association with STARZ Originals
Distribution: Lionsgate Television
Original Broadcaster: STARZ
Country: USA
Younger
Production: Darren Star Productions, Jax Media and TV Land
Distribution: Endemol Shine International
Original Broadcaster: TV Land
Country: USA
MIPCOM Diversify TV’s Excellence Award for Representation of LGBTQ+ – Non-Scripted
The Origins of Pride
Production: CAPA
Distribution: Newen Distribution
Original Broadcaster: RMC Story France
Country: France
Transkids
Production: Medalia Productions
Distribution: MetFilm Sales – International Sales Agent
Original Broadcaster: YesDocu (DBS)
Country: Israel
You Can’t Ask That
Production: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Distribution: ABC Commercial
Original Broadcaster: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Country: Australia
MIPCOM Diversify TV’s Excellence Award for Representation of Disability – Scripted
Jerk
Production: Roughcut TV
Distribution: BBC
Original Broadcaster: BBC 3
Country: UK
Perfect World
Production: KANSAI TV
Distribution: KANSAI TV
Original Broadcaster: KANSAI TV
Country: Japan
This Close
Production: Super Deluxe, Killer Films
Distribution: AMC Studios International
Original Broadcaster: Sundance TV
Country: USA
MIPCOM Diversify TV’s Excellence Award for Representation of Disability – Non-Scripted
If There’s Room for Two
Production: TVE, Onza Entertainment, Fisherman Media
Distribution: TVE
Original Broadcaster: TVE
Country: Spain
No Drama – Bernarda Alba
Production: Canal Encuentro
Distribution: Canal Encuentro
Original Broadcaster: Canal Encuentro
Country: Argentina
No Vacancy: Vancouver’s Housing Crisis
Production: Accessible Media
Distribution: Accessible Media
Original Broadcaster: Accessible Media
Country: Canada
MIPCOM Diversify TV’s Excellence Award for Representation of Race and Ethnicity – Scripted
Ackley Bridge
Production: The Forge
Distribution: all3media international
Original Broadcaster: Channel 4
Country: UK
Isoken
Production: TRIBE85 PRODUCTION
Distribution: Trace Content Distribution
Original Broadcaster: Africa Magic
Country: Nigeria
Kiss Me First
Production: Kindle Entertainment and Balloon Entertainment
Distribution: Lionsgate
Original Broadcasters: Channel 4, Netflix
Country: UK
MIPCOM Diversify TV’s Excellence Award for Representation of Race and Ethnicity – Non-Scripted
African Diaspora Diaries
Production: BBC Africa TV/Digital
Distribution: BBC
Original Broadcaster: BBC World News / BBC News Channel / BBC IPlayer
Country: UK
Breaking the Taboo – Racism and Resistance
Production: Globosat Programadora / Spray Filmes
Distribution: Globosat Programadora
Original Broadcaster: Globosat Programadora
Country: Brazil
The Curry House Kid
Production: Swan Films
Distribution: all3media international
Original Broadcaster: Channel 4
Country: UK
MIPCOM Diversify TV’s Excellence Award for Kids’ Programming
Rainbow Stories
Production: Hopster Studios, Cloth Cat Animation
Distribution: Hopster
Original Broadcaster: Hopster
Country: UK
The Bravest Knight
Production: Big Bad Boo Studios
Distribution: Big Bad Boo Studios
Original Broadcaster: Hulu
Country: USA
What It’s Like
Production: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Distribution: ABC Commercial
Original Broadcaster: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Country: Australia
The MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards are part of the Diversity & Inclusion Programme featuring events and conferences at MIPCOM and the preceding kids’ content market, MIPJunior.