SBS Wins International Emmy Award for Go Back to Where You Came From

SBS Wins International Emmy Award for Go Back to Where You Came From

26 November 2013

News Release

The second instalment of SBS's ground-breaking factual television series, Go Back to Where You Came From, has won the International Emmy Award in the Non-scripted Entertainment category, at a ceremony in New York Monday night.

The three-part series, produced by Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder for SBS, beat three other nominees from South Africa, Israel and Columbia, to win the prestigious award presented by the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

SBS Managing Director, Michael Ebeid, said: In a time where refugee and asylum seeker issues were dominating headlines, Go Back to Where You Came From 2 really pushed the human dimension to the forefront, provoking national debate about how Australia responds to this tough and complex global issue.

It was extremely compelling television, and a perfect example of how SBS's uniquely diverse and thought-provoking commissioned content can ignite debate and inspire change. This was an extraordinarily challenging project, and it is great to see SBS, Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder and Go Back again receive recognition on the international stage.

CJZ Creative Director & Executive Producer, Michael Cordell, was there to collect the award and said: It's great to see an Australian show resonate so strongly around the world. We're incredibly proud of this series. To be nominated was wonderful but to win is sublime. It's a credit to all the participants and the entire production team that they helped shape such a powerful story. Special thanks to SBS for backing such a bold piece of television.

Go Back to Where You Came From 2 followed six high profile Australians, some with outspoken views on refugees and asylum seekers and others with a connection to the debate, who risked their lives to experience the reality of refugee life, in an extraordinary three-week journey to some of the world's most tumultuous countries.

The three-part series dealt with the significant social and humanitarian subject of refugees and asylum seekers, as well as the related issues of poverty, justice, human rights, crime and discrimination.

The International Emmy Award is the most recent in a long list of awards garnered for the two series. The awards include two Rose D'Or Awards- the first Australian production to win the award in the festival's 51 year history. It has also been awarded a Logie, an AACTA Award, two UN peace media awards, a SPAA Award and a Banff World Media Award. The format has been adapted into versions by the USA, Denmark, Germany, France, Norway, Netherlands, Sweden, South Africa and Canada.

Go Back to Where You Came From 2 was the only Australian nomination in the 2013 International Emmy Awards.

The International Emmy Awards recognise the best television programs produced, and initially aired, outside the United States. Nineteen countries were represented at this year's awards, which were hosted by comedian and writer John Oliver.

ENDS

LINK:	http://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/news-media-releases/view/id/797/h/SBS-Wi...
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