Terry Pratchett - International Emmy Awards British Winners Include Black Mirror and Terry Pratchett Documentary

International Emmy Awards British Winners Include Black Mirror and Terry Pratchett Documentary

The International Emmy Awards is a celebration of the best television made outside of the USA. This year, Brits won just two awards, which included Best Documentary for Terry Pratchett's 'Choosing to Die', and Charlie Brooker's 'Black Mirror' won in the category of Best TV Movie/Mini-Series.

Pratchett's documentary was given a hefty amount of criticism from religious charities and leaders, as well as politicians, who all considered it to be 'euthanasia propaganda'. Clearly however, the judges of the awards thought much more highly of the film, which followed Peter Smedley, a victim of motor-neurone disease, and his journey towards his 'assisted death'. Having been diagnosed with Alzheimers, the fantasy fiction writer has been outspoken regarding his support of euthanasia and assisted death, according to the Daily Mail he has criticized the government for not considering dementia a 'real' disease, forcing families into 'bankrupcy' rather than treatment being available by the NHS. 

Charlie Brooker's satirical and astute political drama series, Black Mirror, also won at the awards. First broadcast in 2011, it has since been commissioned for a second series, according to the BBC. Channel 4 described it as a 'twisted parable' the meaning of which clearly conveyed itself effectively to the award organisers. 

While the UK has been dominant at the awards in previous years, 2012 seems to be the year for South America, as both Brazil and Argentina took home two awards each. Norman Lear and Alan Alda were also celebrated, with special honours at the awards.