Robin Roberts, Renée Elise Goldsberry to Receive Rockie Gala Awards at Banff Festival (TV News Roundup)
The Banff World Media Festival has selected “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts and “Girls5eva” star Renée Elise Goldsberry to receive two of its Rockies Gala Awards honorees during next month’s event.
Roberts will receive the inclusion award, which “recognizes an individual whose efforts and vision in media champion and reflect the diversity of the world in which we live.” Past honorees include Vivica A. Fox, Danielle Brooks, LeVar Burton, Jonathan Murray and Elizabeth Vargas. Goldsberry will receive the creative voice award, “bestowed on an executive or creative talent that has created outstanding work that breaks through, inspiring and connecting global audiences.” Past honorees include Rose Matafeo and Jennifer Podemski.
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Also, Tom Green (“Freddy Got Fingered”) will receive the Sir Peter Ustinov comedy award, which “recognizes a creative talent who has made an outstanding comedic contribution to the media industry.” Past honorees include: Kenan Thompson, Sean Hayes, John Cleese, Tracey Ullman, Bob Newhart, Tantoo Cardinal, John Candy, Bill Hader, Ana Gasteyer and Craig T. Robinson.
Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (“Kim’s Convenience”) will get the Canadian award of distinction. “The award is given to a Canadian whose body of work exemplifies outstanding achievement in the entertainment industry.” Also, Attraction has been awarded the innovative producer honor, and Lionsgate TV Group chairman/CEO and Banff TV Festival Foundation board of directors chair Kevin Beggs will receive the award of excellence.
These awards will be given on June 10, as part of the 45th edition of the festival taking place June 9 – 12, 2024 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Hosting the is Allana Harkin “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.”
“We’re thrilled to announce the incredible hosts of our awards shows and our esteemed Rockie Award Gala recipients. Each of these accomplished individuals and companies have left an indelible mark and made profound contributions in shaping the landscape of the entertainment industry,” said Jenn Kuzmyk, Executive Director. “We’re looking forward to celebrating their achievements and creativity in grand style at the festival.”
On the following evening, Tuesday June 11, Banff will feature the juried Rockie Awards International Program Competition, hosted by Jasmeet Raina (creator and star of “Late Bloomer”).
In other TV roundup news:
FIRST LOOKS/TRAILERS
The second season of The Onyx Collective’s “Reasonable Doubt” will return to Hulu on Aug. 22 with two episodes. New episodes will stream on Thursdays.
“Reasonable Doubt” follows criminal defense attorney Jax Stewart (Emayatzy Corinealdi), who works at an up-scale Los Angeles law firm as she navigates difficult cases amid past traumas and a separation from her husband.
Per season two’s synopsis: “After trying to heal from her wounds from last season’s arduous trial and deadly affair, Jax Stewart is attempting to get her life back on track. That is until one of her closest friends reveals that she has killed her husband. Her friend is claiming self-defense, but an uncompromising prosecutor thinks otherwise. Needing all the help she can get, Jax brings in an ambitious defense attorney to lead the case, but things get tense very quickly. Can Jax defend her friend, save her marriage and protect her energy while being catapulted into the biggest case of her career? Or will she lose it all?”
“Reasonable Doubt” is created, written and executive produced by Raamla Mohamed. Kerry Washington executive produces alongside Pilar Savone for Simpson Street, Larry Wilmore via Wilmore Films and Anton Cropper. Shawn Holley, Jon Leshay, Tamara Gregory, Lena Cordina, TASH Gray and Resheida Brady serve as co-executive producers.
EXECUTIVE NEWS
Megan McGrath has been named senior vice president of unscripted development at Fremantle, the creators behind “American Idol,” “America’s Got Talent” and “Password.” In addition to McGrath, Stephanie Valentin and Emily Bon join Fremantle as vice presidents of unscripted development.
“Fremantle is already the home to some of the world’s best-known titles in the unscripted world and our team is up to the challenge to identify the next wave of culture-defining series,” said Jimmy Fox, executive vice president of unscripted development and sales. “With each of their unique backgrounds and individual perspectives when it comes to ideation, I’m inspired by our ability to create a diverse slate of projects across a wide spectrum of genres for the U.S. market and beyond.”
EVENTS
The Paramount+ Movie Nights series will return to New York this summer with over 25 free, outdoor screenings. Paramount+ will also be the official sponsor of Bryant Park Movie Nights, the longest running outdoor movie series in New York City, and Brooklyn Magazine’s Movie Nights, now at four parks across Brooklyn including Coney Island.
The showings are open to the public and boast free admissions. Locations and dates are as follows:
Bryant Park: Monday nights – June 10 through Aug. 12
McCarren Park: June 7, 14 and 28
Prospect Park: June 26; July 3, 10 and 17
Coney Island: July 11, 18 and 25; Aug. 1 and 8
Fort Greene Park: Aug. 15, 22 and 29; Sep. 5
Select screenings will also offer themed food and beverages for free and for purchase. Onsite activations including interactive games and photo opportunities will also be available at select showings.
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Gracemoon Arts, a new theatre company is set to open the first show at their theatre on July 11 in Bushwick, Brooklyn. The seasons of shows at Gracemoon Arts will emphasize conversations on race, misogyny, addiction and love. Their first show will include an 11-show run that will close on July 20.
The theatre consists of actors across theatre, film and television who will kick off the opening with a showing of the play “Dutchman” by Amiri Baraka to honor its 60th anniversary. It will star Daren Herbert (“Pretty Hard Cases”) and Leah Doz (“Strays”), as Clay and Lula. The show originally premiered at the Cherry Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village, N.Y., in March 1964.
Gracemoon Arts Company members include Amrit Kaur (“Sex Lives of College Girls,”) Hamza Haq (“Transplant,”) Andrea Carter (“Chucky,”) Krista Morin (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) and more.
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