Introduction to the International Emmy Awards
Some 35 years after the fall of the East German regime, a groundbreaking series about everyday life in the GDR was awarded an International Emmy at the awards ceremony on Monday evening in New York. The series, produced by MDR, titled “In Fritzi’s footsteps – what was it like in the GDR?”, won the prize in the “Kids: Factual & Entertainment” category, beating competitors from Brazil, Great Britain, and South Africa.
A High-Quality Program for Children
“In Fritzi’s Footsteps” describes divided Germany in the period shortly before reunification and interweaves animations, interviews with contemporary witnesses, and historical facts to educate young viewers. The two moderators, Anna Shirin Habedank and Julian Janssen, meet former GDR citizens who talk about surveillance by the Stasi or the demonstrations that heralded the end of the communist regime.
The series shows the day the Berlin Wall fell and takes the audience on a tour through East Germany. Moderator Janssen spoke of “the courage to set up such a high-quality program for children” and added: “It is incredibly great that we were able to accept this award today.” In his acceptance speech, author and producer Ralf Kukula said he still remembered the last days of the GDR before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The German Thriller Comes Up Short
The second-nominated German production came away empty-handed at the award ceremony. The thriller series “Herrhausen – The Lord of Money”, which is about the murder of Deutsche Bank boss Alfred Herrhausen in 1989, had to admit defeat to the British production “Lost Boys & Fairies” in the “TV films/mini-series” category. The award for top drama series went to “Rivals,” which focuses on the lives of conservative aristocrats in 1980s Britain.
Other Winners
The International Emmy for Best Comedy Series went to the British crime drama “Ludwig.” “Hell Jumper,” a documentary about a British volunteer killed in the war in Ukraine, won best documentary. Other winners included Australia’s "Bluey," winner of best animated series for children, a British production about daily life in Gaza, "Dispatches: Kill Zone. Inside Gaza" for best current affairs program, and a Netflix documentary about the kissing scandal between Spanish soccer official Luis Rubiales and World Cup winner Jennifer Hermoso.
Conclusion
The International Emmys are the global offshoot of the most important Emmy Awards. For the 53rd edition, which focuses on productions outside the United States, entries from 26 countries were nominated in 16 categories. “In a world that is often uncertain, television continues to serve as a powerful force for connection across cultures and borders,” said Bruce L. Paisner, president and CEO of the International Academy, at the awards gala in New York. “This year’s winners, ranging from Japan to Germany to Australia and Turkey, reflect the extraordinary diversity of voices and outstanding programs and performances that define the best of global television.”
