France wins big at the International Emmys

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French television shows walk away with trophies for best drama, arts programming and TV movie mini-series.

(Reuters) - French television shows walk away with trophies for best drama, arts programming and TV movie mini-series, Alicia Powell reports.

France was the big winner at the 43rd International Emmy Awards, taking home three statuettes for best drama, arts programming and TV movie mini-series.

Brazil came in second, snagging the trophy for best telenovela and comedy.

The annual gala event was attended by over 1000 international television professionals and was hosted by Egyptian Comedian Bassem Youssef.

"I am the first, non-European, non-American person to host the International Emmys," says Youssef. "I am an Arab from the Middle East, and that is a great honour. So I hope it goes well, and I hope to give a good name for my region, because right now that region needs a little bit of a lift up."

The best drama Emmy went to France's Spiral, a crime series in its fifth season.

Anne Landois, the executive producer of the series, says, "As you know Spiral is a crime show about the work of police and justice. And more than ever I am so proud to work and to write about this work of police. I want to say 'thank you' to the police because you know about the events that happened last week in Paris."

Hollywood star Michael Douglas presented the honorary International Emmy Directorate Award to HBO Chairman and CEO Richard Plepler.

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes was honoured with the International Emmy Founders Award.

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