Chicago International Film Festival Television Awards Celebrates 50 Years of Honoring Pioneering Commercials and Influential Television
Production Company STORY to Receive Commitment to Excellence Award for Television Commercials
CHICAGO, IL – Celebrating 50 years of honoring the best in television, The Chicago International Film Festival Television Awards once again presents top honors on April 10, 2014 at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel (221 N. Columbus Dr.). Continuing its mission to award the most innovative commercial creators and television visionaries, STORY will receive this year’s Commitment to Excellence Award for Television Commercials. All of this year’s competition winners will be announced at the awards night ceremony in addition to the Commitment to Excellence Award for Television celebrating “CSI†Executive Producer Carol Mendelsohn and the WTTW11 Audience Choice Award.
In 1964, at the same time Founder and Director Michael Kutza was establishing the Chicago International Film Festival, advertising agency heads Leo Burnett, Fairfax Cone and Dick Needham suggested that, with budgets and craftsmanship equal to the feature films being screened, the Festival should also showcase the art of the television commercial. The first Chicago International Television Awards were born and thus began a long history of celebrating the innovation and creativity behind the small screen. That year, the Awards top honor, the Gold Hugo went to Young & Rubicam’s “Birds†commercial for Eastern Airlines.
The Television Awards continued to honor the best in television while also paying tribute to various visionaries throughout the years. Legendary commercial director Joe Sedelmaier was honored in a special program paying tribute to his innovative work including the iconic “Where’s the Beef†spot for Wendy’s.  Before noted film director, producer and screenwriter Alan Parker (“Evita,†“Mississippi Burning†and “Fameâ€) went on to his illustrious career in feature filmmaking, the festival honored him with a special presentation highlighting his groundbreaking early commercial work. In addition to Parker, many of the greatest film directors working today got their start in television advertising and commercial spots including Ridley Scott and Federico Fellini, who both won awards in the television competition.
Various award-winning commercials have also made an appearance during the Chicago International Film Festival as well.  Receiving top honors at the Television Awards in 1970, The Heinz commercial, “The Big Production,†featuring a sequin-clad, tap-dancing Ann Miller (directed by Stan Freberg) was later presented in the Film Festival’s tribute to the legendary actress in 1977.
This year, the tradition continues as Cinema/Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival award the innovative production company STORY with the Commitment to Excellence Television Award. Founded in 1989, and with offices in Chicago and Santa Monica, STORY’s long-standing relationships with both clients and directors extends to Leo Burnett, Doner, Ogilvy, Cramer-Krasselt and more for over 25 years. Lead by Mark Androw and Cliff Gant, STORY prides itself on a superb roster of directors—many of whom have been with the company for more than 10 years, an eclectic mix of seasoned veterans and exciting young talent. Having won numerous awards for creative excellence including Clios, Emmys, Cannes Lions and more, STORY was also named the Production Company of the Year three times by “Screen Magazine.â€
Another staple of recognizing great commercials throughout the history of the Television Awards has been the WTTW Channel 11 Audience Choice Award. For the past 50 years, WTTW Channel 11 has presented a half-hour program of commercials from around the world allowing Chicago viewers to vote for their favorite. Viewers can vote by visiting the WTTW website starting Thursday, March 20.
All winners of this year’s competition will be announced during the awards ceremony on April 10. In addition, “CSI†Executive Producer Carol Mendelsohn will be honored with the Commitment to Excellence Award for her achievements in television and various other honorees will be announced at a later date.
Tickets ($100) to the 50th Annual Chicago International Television Awards are available at chicagofilmfestival.com.
The 50th Chicago International Film Festival Television Awards is presented by Cinema/Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival. Major Partners include American Airlines, Optimus, Sound Investment AV with support from Evening Partners Stella Artois, Effen Vodka and Action Booth.
ABOUT THE CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TV AWARDS
The Chicago International Film Festival Television Awards is an annual international television competition culminating in an Awards Ceremony that honors the best TV commercials and television productions from around the world. Among last year’s top winners, Gold and Silver Hugos were awarded to Icon Films, Yap Films, WDR, THIRTEEN, Leo Burnett, mcgarrybowen, Yessian Music, Burrell, and Cutters. The event has honored Kelsey Grammer, Bill Kurtis, Carol Marin, FRONTLINE, Leo Burnett, ESPN Films, and Optimus, among others.
ABOUT CINEMA/CHICAGO
Cinema/Chicago is a not-for-profit cultural and education organization dedicated to encouraging better understanding between cultures and to making a positive contribution to the art form of the moving image. The Television Awards is part of the year-round programs presented by Cinema/Chicago, which also include the Chicago International Film Festival, CineYouth Festival, Intercom Competition, International Screenings Program, and Educational Outreach.
