EW ORLEANS – Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly, and Netflix’s Salt Fat Acid Heat and Queer Eye were among the top winners at the Realscreen Awards this evening (Jan. 28).
The ceremony was hosted by Ross Mathews, a best-selling author and RuPaul’s Drag Race judge.
Surviving R. Kelly, produced by Kreativ Inc., picked up two awards, including the award of excellence for non-fiction and the award for social issues & current affairs program in the non-fiction category.
As previously announced, veteran producers Dan Cutforth (pictured right) and Jane Lipsitz (left), co-founders of fledgling unscripted prodco Alfred Street Industries, were inducted into the Realscreen Awards Hall of Fame.
Alfred Street Industries was named for the West Hollywood street where the pair’s first production company, Magical Elves (Project Runway, Top Chef), was born.
“Thank you very much to everyone at Realscreen, this is a real honor for us. It’s an exciting moment for us to be here. When we started out over 20 odd years ago, we never would have imagined we’d be standing here,” said Cutforth in his acceptance speech. “It’s an amazing time in our industry and something really special is happening… it’s really cool to see all of that work.
“We just wanted to thank all the people who have made themselves vulnerable to us and just let us document their pursuit of their dreams because we’ve realized in the process that we’ve been able to pursue ours and go to places we’ve never thought of or dreamed of,” noted Lipsitz. “We’ve been surrounded by people who are hard-working and passionate and creative, and it’s been an extraordinary journey for us.”
“Thank you, Realscreen, for inviting me into your Hall of Fame, but I stand here on behalf of PBS and our 335 member stations, each one of them rooted in communities,” said Kerger.
“We can agree that working in this industry is not for the faint of heart, given the rapid pace of change, but I also believe this is the most exciting time to work in media as we look at the power and possibilities of these new tools and platforms that are right in our hands that give us extraordinary ways to connect with audiences,” Kerger continued. “I’ve seen time and time again the power of media to make a difference. We are all fortunate to work in this industry and we all have an obligation to carry it forward and to truly realize the potential this media has to reach every person with content that truly can inspire. On behalf of all of my PBS colleagues, I thank you for this award and I wish you all the best as we look ahead to this exciting future that lies ahead.”
With their inductions into Realscreen‘s Hall of Fame, Cutforth, Lipsitz and Kerger join other present and past network executive inductees, including former A+E Networks CEO, and current Vice Media CEO Nancy Dubuc, and NBC Entertainment chairman Paul Telegdy.
Netflix’s Salt Fat Acid Heat from Jigsaw Productions and Queer Eye from Scout Productions and ITV Entertainment were also feted with two awards each.
Salt Fat Acid Heat took home hardware in the lifestyle category for best food program, and the award of excellence for lifestyle program, while Queer Eye walked away with cubes for docureality in the reality category and the award of excellence for reality program.
Elsehwere, Fox’s smash shiny floor entertainment format The Masked Singer from Endemol Shine North America received the award for talent & studio-based competition, while A&E’s Born This Way from Bunim/Murray Productions took home the Realscreen Award for diversity and inclusion.