Events DC was honored to win four Telly Awards for its films supporting several of the District’s premier cultural events and activities.
The Creative Services division, which leads production for GATHER by Events DC, won a gold Telly award for “Pins of Madeline Albright,” silvers for both “Truth and Service Classic with Rob Zilla” and “Sticks and Stones” and one bronze for “Embassy Chef Challenge.”
“We are thrilled to win these awards for our films that highlight interesting facets or give historic background to our event audiences, for example, adding to more meaningful and memorable experiences,” said Events DC Chief Creative Officer Jinhee Kim. “Our goal in Creative Services is to bolster the dynamic activities of Events DC and its partners, like Embassy Chef Challenge and the Truth and Service Classic football game, with nuanced content that attracts, engages and educates every guest. These Telly Awards are such an honor for our staff who create these world-class events.”
The Telly Awards are the world’s largest honor for video and television across all screens, including productions by top-tier brands and organizations, as well as smaller media companies, such as GATHER by Events DC.
Established in 1979, The Telly Awards receives over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. Entrants are judged by The Telly Awards Judging Council—an industry body of over 200 leading experts including advertising agencies, production companies and major television networks. Categories include branded content, social video and animation. The Telly Awards reinforced its commitment to showcasing the many outstanding ways video is being used in this ever-changing landscape by introducing a suite of new categories, including Workplace Culture, Hybrid Events, Education & Training, Recruitment and Sustainability this year.
Tellys Executive Director Sabrina Dridje said in a statement, “This year’s incredible group of winners perfectly exemplifies the many artful and unique ways video is being used to tackle these timely topics. By introducing our new categories, we’re continuing to deliver on our mission of constantly evolving with the changing industry and the world.”
Gold Telly Award winner “Pins of Madeline Albright” was one of four films produced through a partnership with the Diplomacy & Fashion Project, founded by Indira Gumarova of the Embassy of the Czech Republic, on a series that explores the intersection of diplomacy and the way we dress. The film explains how Secretary of State Madeline Albright’s pin collection relayed diplomatic messages as soon as she entered a room.
Silver Telly Award winner “Truth and Service Classic with Rob Zilla” was created to commemorate the first-ever Truth and Service Classic football game between Howard University and Hampton University, sponsored by Events DC. The film follows the award-winning illustrator Rob Zilla as he produces a commissioned illustration that captures the pride and excitement around HBCU football in DC.
Some of the world’s top lacrosse players – Lyle Thompson, Kyle Harrison, and Paul Rabil – take us inside the game and reflect on its deep Native American history in silver Telly Award winner “Sticks and Stones.” This film was produced in support of the Events DC-sponsored Premier Lacrosse League.
The Embassy Chef Challenge, one of Events DC’s most revered events, was forced on to the screen during the pandemic. The culinary experience where guests travel the world through their taste buds found new life with the series. Embassy chefs shared what their native foods meant to them and their culture in this bronze Telly Award winning series. One episode of this series, “Embassy Chef Challenge: Afghanistan,” received an Emmy award.