The winners of the 2024 Venice TV Award have been revealed, showcasing the best of global television content as it competed for the prestigious Gold Medals.

The Venice TV Award continues its proud tradition of recognizing and celebrating the most outstanding achievements in television. Two weeks after the Venice Film Festival, this annual event brings together an international jury in the iconic city to honour television masterpieces from around the world. Supported by the International Music + Media Centre (IMZ), the European Group of Television Advertising (egta), and the Association of Commercial TV (ACT), the Venice TV Award continues to highlight the impact and excellence of television in today’s entertainment landscape.

The jury for the awards is made up of distinguished figures from the global TV industry, tasked with recognizing the best in television across 19 categories, including TV Series, TV Movie, Documentary, Comedy, Animation, News, Branded Entertainment, and more. The focus is on celebrating creativity and acknowledging the individuals and companies responsible for some of the world's most influential content.

Celebrating Creativity and Excellence

This year, the BBC once again stood out, winning three Gold Medals. The broadcaster claimed top honors in the Light Entertainment category for The Eurovision Song Contest, which captured audiences worldwide with its dazzling production and international appeal. The BBC also triumphed in Animation with A Bear Named Wojtek, a poignant story about a Syrian bear adopted by Polish soldiers during World War II. Additionally, the BBC’s documentary Ukraine: Enemy in the Woods, which provided unprecedented access to a Ukrainian assault company defending a strategic railway, won Gold in Cinematography.

Reflecting on the award entries, Alan Holland, Head of Specialist Factual Productions, remarked, "I thoroughly enjoyed the process and was impressed by the exceedingly high standard and diversity of entries this year.” His comments reflect the range of high-quality productions that competed, showcasing both storytelling and technical brilliance.

The United Kingdom Takes the Spotlight

The United Kingdom emerged as the most successful country in this year’s awards, with a total of six wins. In addition to the BBC’s successes, Sky UK won the Documentary category for Hatton, which chronicles the journey of boxer Ricky Hatton, exploring themes of celebrity and mental health. Apple TV+ UK took home Gold in Children & Youth with Lovely Little Farm (Season 2), while Channel 4 secured victory in Reality TV for Tempting Fortune.

Katty Roberfroid, Director General of egta, commented on the importance of recognizing excellence in television: "We are happy to support the Venice TV Award. Great content is a must for the future of our industry, so we are pleased to acknowledge the merit of those who produce it!"

Global Recognition for Outstanding Work

Beyond the UK, Germany’s ZDF claimed Gold in the TV Series category with The Zweiflers, a drama centered on Holocaust survivor Symcha Zweifler, who is confronted with his past while managing his family’s delicatessen empire in post-war Frankfurt.

France’s TV 1 earned the top spot in the TV Film category with On the Run, a heartwarming story of a bank robber who forms an unexpected bond with an abandoned boy during their journey together.

Meanwhile, Globo TV Brazil secured two Gold Medals in the Branded Entertainment and Program Promotion categories, further showcasing its prowess in innovative content creation. Other international wins included entries from CBS, Record TV Brazil, RTVE Spain, SP Portugal, Sky UK, and 3sat, reflecting the global reach of the Venice TV Award.

Kenichi Matsumiya, Senior Producer at NHK Japan, emphasized the importance of high standards in judging, stating, "To continue attracting global attention, it’s essential to judge strictly. The key criterion is whether the work moves the viewers’ hearts."

Fostering New Talent

The Venice TV Award also remains committed to fostering new talent. The Civica Scuola di Cinema Luchino Visconti in Italy won the New Talent category with Vision d'été, a short film that impressed the jury with its originality and execution. Minnie Ferrara, Director at the Luchino Visconti Film School, reflected on the importance of the award for emerging creatives: “The Venice TV New Talent Award has great significance for young, creative students. It not only recognizes emerging talent, but it inspires students to push the boundaries of creativity.”

As the 2024 Venice TV Award draws to a close, the event reaffirms the power of television to inform, entertain, and connect audiences worldwide. By celebrating the industry’s finest, the award continues to elevate the art of storytelling and production, ensuring that television remains a dynamic and vital medium.

For a complete list of winners of the 2024 Venice TV Award, please click here