This post has been updated.
The 45th Annual Suncoast Emmy Awards honored WLRN Public Television with four Emmy Awards.
The Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards, recognize excellence in television and the regions' leadership for their artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. More than 1,700 entries were submitted from all over the region including Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia and Puerto Rico.
"What an incredible honor for everyone who’s worked hard to create these deserving programs," said Adrienne Kennedy, television executive producer of WLRN. “We are so proud to be recognized by the Suncoast Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, it only reinforces our commitment to continue producing and presenting meaningful programming that resonates with our South Florida audiences.”
"Hometown Heroes: Captain Winston Scott," received two Emmy awards for directing and in the nostalgia category. Producers Michael Anderson and Mia Laurenzo were recognized for their work.
The 30-minute film features former NASA Astronaut Captain Winston Scott who shares his challenges of growing up in segregated Coconut Grove. Through perseverance, he found a way to achieve his dream of a career in science and technology. Captain Scott flew on two space shuttle missions and conducted three spacewalks outside the spacecraft.
WLRN’s exclusive presentation of “I Danced for the Angel Of Death: The Dr. Edith Eva Eger Story” also received honors with an Emmy for director Ron Small.
Produced by the Holocaust Education Film Foundation, this emotional first-person narrative reveals how Holocaust survivor Edith Eva Eger’s bravery keeps her alive through three concentration camps during WWII. After years of suffering from flashbacks and survivor’s guilt, Edith was able to heal and forgive the one person she’d been unable to forgive—herself.
WLRN distributed Dr. Eger's story nationally in April 2021 for Holocaust remembrance. To date, this one-hour film has received over 83% coverage on public television stations across the country.
Michael Anderson also received accolades with an Emmy for editing the lively and visually energetic production “Hero of a Thousand Faces - Chef Richard Ingraham," a presentation of WLRN and produced by Pass Story of Diaspora Forward, Inc.
The half-hour story shares the journey of Chef Richard Ingraham. Born and raised in Miami, he became a culinary enthusiast at a young age. Today, Ingraham is an extremely accomplished chef in his own right and currently holds the position of private chef for Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union.
The virtual ceremony naming the winners was held Saturday night. You can find the full list of winners here.