The channel will host the semi-final judging round of the International Emmy Awards

Singapore, July 21, 2010 – The renowned International Emmy Awards will be coming to Singapore, courtesy of the Asian Food Channel (AFC). The International Emmy Awards is presented by The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which aims to recognise the best television programmes produced, and initially aired, outside the United States and around the world.

AFC which broadcasts in Singapore on StarHub TV Channel 435, as well as across the region, will be hosting two semi-final judging sessions for the International Emmy Awards on behalf of The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The judging sessions will be held over two days at the AFC studios in Singapore. The judging sessions will be for two categories, Documentary (Asia/Africa/Middle East) and Non-Scripted Entertainment (English Language).

Every semi-final round of judging has a crucial influence on the International Emmy Awards competition – jurors now get to vote directly for a programme that is going to be nominated. This is a major difference from previous years, where nominees were selected during the Final Round.

Maria Brown, Co-Founder and Managing Director, AFC, says; “It is indeed an honour for AFC to be selected by the International Emmy Awards to host this Semi-Final round in Singapore. We see this as a great act of recognition from the international industry to the Asian Food Channel. As a Singaporean owned TV channel broadcasting across the region, we are competing against some of the world's largest global media giants. So we are deeply proud to be invited by the International Emmy's to bring this spotlight of television excellence to Singapore, especially since judging for the semi-finals has not taken place here for almost a decade when the media scene was very different.”

Maria added, “AFC sees this as a positive step in marking Singapore as a force to be reckoned with as an international player in the global film and television industry. We hope this opportunity will be a stepping stone for Singapore not just to continue supporting Singaporean grown media companies and encouraging media companies from across the region to be further involved in the global media scene, but also to promote the local film and television industry to attract the best and brightest young talents to join this hugely creative industry.”

Said Nathaniel Brendel, Director, Emmy Judging, “Thanks to AFC generously hosting this judging event, The International Academy can count Singapore and its vibrant television community amongst its semi-final hosts. I particularly thank AFC Co-Founders Maria Brown and Hian Goh for having the determination to organise this event for us and for being active Members of The Academy.”

A panel of expert jurors, chosen in collaboration with The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, will include prominent television and film personalities from across the region who will judge a number of entries in the two categories. Jurors will view all content of the nominated shows that have been submitted by the Academy. The panel will determine the programmes that will advance to the final round of judging.

Semi-Final judging round will take place from 10am to 7pm on 22nd & 23rd July 2010 at the AFC Studio.

The winners will be selected by an International Panel of Jurors, and announced on stage at The 38th International Emmy Awards Gala on 22nd November 2010.