Oprah gets Founders Award at International Emmys ceremony

Tuesday, November 22nd 2005, 11:07 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Oprah Winfrey has received the Founders Award for her international broadcast career and philanthropic initiatives from the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton presented the award to Winfrey, host of ``The Oprah Winfrey Show,'' during Monday night's International Emmy Awards gala.

``Her accomplishments as a television pioneer, actress, film producer, editorial director and philanthropist have established her as one of the most respected and admired public figures today,'' the Academy said of the talk-show host in a statement on its Web site.

Helen Mirren presented the directorate award to Charles Allen, chief executive of Britain's ITV for 50 years of excellence in commercial broadcasting.

Best drama series went to Denmark's ``The Eagle, a crime odyssey,'' and the comedy prize was won by Canada's ``The Newsroom.''

He Lin of China received the best actress prize for her role in ``Slave Mother,'' and Thierry Fremont of France was named best actor for his role in ``Dans la Tete du Tueur (Murder in Mind).''

Denmark's ``Young Andersen,'' about the life of storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, was the winner in the TV movie/miniseries category.

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences was founded in 1969 to recognize excellence in television programming produced outside the United States. It has 500 members from nearly 70 countries and over 350 companies.