Welsh TV boss off to New York to judge the Emmys
A TV company boss from north Wales will be rubbing shoulders with superstars from the world of television after being chosen as a judge for the prestigious Emmy awards in New York.
Dylan Huws, managing director of Caernarfon-based Cwmni Da, will be joining the glitterati on the red carpet at the luxury Sofitel hotel in Manhattan for the ceremony in November.
The event is televised to millions of people worldwide.
The 47th International Emmy Awards rank alongside their movie equivalent, the Oscars, in terms of glamour, prestige and achievement.
Dylan is the first person from Wales to be asked to be a judge for the Emmys and he’s hoping that one day a Welsh-language television programme will be among those being honoured.
Last year, he made history when he announced he was turning the £5m-a-year company, which employs 50 people, into an employee-owned company.
The move is believed to be a first in the UK broadcast industry.
Dylan has just returned from Beijing, where he was part of the international judging panel chosen to run the rule over the best European-made productions in categories for documentaries and arts programmes.
He said: “It was a real honour to be asked to be one of the judges because he panel was full of high-level producers, directors and industry figures – including programme-makers I have a huge respect for. Among them was Andre Singer, an iconic Oscarnominated documentary-maker who has won an Emmy.
“It was a pleasure to get to know them and have an opportunity to discuss and debate the shortlisted productions. It was very intense from the word go. We were viewing from 9am and had a short break for lunch before carrying on viewing until 7pm.
“It was hard going but hugely enjoyable.
“The next breakthrough would be to get a Welsh production on to the shortlist. From what I’ve seen, we certainly have the productions and talent that could hold their own with their international counterparts.”