NEW YORK, NY — (Marketwire) — 07/11/11 — New York Festivals(R), honoring "The World’s Best TV Programs & Films(TM)," announced the Call for Entries for the 2012 International Television & Film Awards. This year, NYF has updated the competition by adding the following new categories: Best Sports Talk Show; Best News Talk Show; Heroes; and Green Promotion. These new categories round out those introduced last year that transformed the competition: Telenovelas, Special Event, Event Venue, Animated Program, and multiple Sports Categories.

The newly launched 2012 categories showcase exceptional work in programming and technique. The Heroes category recognizes stories of ordinary people whose acts of heroism or advocacies have touched the lives of people and set an example for others to follow. The Green Promotion category continues NYF’s Green Initiative by honoring promos created for environmental awareness campaigns.

"New York Festivals International Television & Film Awards continually monitors emerging trends that deserve to be recognized in the Television & Film industry, and is dedicated to providing categories that allow entrants from around the globe to showcase their exceptional work," said Rose Anderson, Executive Director of the International Television & Film Awards.

In 2011, New York Festivals and the NAB Show forged a strategic partnership to showcase the Television & Film Awards to the 90,000 attendees at the annual NAB Show in Las Vegas. The partnership gave NYF the opportunity to present a multi-day event that included the screening of the two 2011 Grand Award winning entries.

A Grand Trophy was awarded to "The Two Escobars" ESPN, USA in the History & Society category. The second Grand Trophy was awarded to "Who We Are" Area 51 Foxtel, Australia in the Arts & Humanities category. The Grand Jury awarded 117 Gold Medals, 143 Silver, 103 Bronze, and 270 Finalist Certificates.

ESPN was named Broadcaster of the Year, and The Edge Picture Company, England was honored with the title of Production Company of the Year.

Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles, of Maysles Films, received the inaugural NYF Television & Film Lifetime Achievement Award for his accomplishments and contributions to the film industry.

The deadline to enter the 2012 International Television & Film Awards is October 3, 2011, for more information please visit: http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/main.php?p2,3

The 2012 New York Festivals Television & Film Awards will be held at the NAB Show in Las Vegas April 14th – 19th.

New York Festivals International Television & Film Awards Television categories include: news, documentary, information and entertainment programming, music video, infomercial, promotion, spots, openings and IDs. Film & Video categories: feature length, short and documentary films, informational, educational, corporate and industrial film productions; home video and student productions. To view a complete list of categories: http://www.newyorkfestivals.com/pop/category-view.php?CmptnID182

Entries will be judged online and screened by New York Festivals Television & Film Grand Jury comprised of producers, directors, writers, and other creative media professionals from around the globe. Winning entries will be featured on the NYF’s website and promoted by our network of international representatives in 75 countries around the world.

All press inquiries are welcome and should be directed to Gayle Mandel: gmandelinternationalawardsgroup.com, Ph: 1 212 643 4800.

About International Awards Group International Awards Group (IAG) organizes advertising and programming competitions for the following brands: AME Awards(R) for the World’s Most Effective Advertising(TM); Midas Awards(R) for the World’s Best Work in Financial Marketing & Advertising(TM); The Global Awards(R) for the World’s Best Healthcare Advertising(TM); New York Festivals(R); World’s Best Advertising(TM); World’s Best Radio Programs(TM) and World’s Best Television & Films(TM). Entries to each of the competitions are judged around the world by panels of peers in their respective industries. Founded in 1957, IAG and their brands now have representation in 75 countries. For more information, go to www.InternationalAwardsGroup.com.

Contact: Gayle Mandel International Awards Group 260 West 39th Street, 10th Floor New York, NY 10018 212 643-4800 gmandelinternationalawardsgroup.com