Family Film And TV Awards: A Timeless Celebration Of Family

Positive storytelling. A shared experience for families together. Encouraging good behavior and ethical decision making.

From the early days of film and television to the present day, the category of family-friendly programming – i.e., uplifting narratives – is the backbone of broadcasting. For the audience, it allows families to enjoy content together, fostering bonding and shared experiences while promoting positive values and a safe space for people of all ages. For an advertiser, it offers a large reach and a diverse audience across multiple generations, creating a wider potential customer base and positive brand association.

In celebration of the category is the Family Film and TV Awards, airing Saturday, Nov. 9 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on CBS (and streaming on Paramount+).

Hosted by Kevin Frazier (Entertainment Tonight) and Amanda Kloots (The Talk), and voted by industry leaders, celebrities and the readers of Popstar! magazine, the annual Family Film and TV Awards celebrates both current and past productions with awards given out in 11 categories. The roots of this annual awards gala trace back to 1996, when the legendary Dick Clark was a producer. And this year’s telecast will feature performances by the Grammy-nominated artists Aloe Blacc and Walker Hayes.

“At Family Film and TV Awards, we honor the timeless stories that remind us of the importance of family, no matter what form it takes. From classic TV series to our current favorites, these programs celebrate the bonds that unite us. Associated Television International is proud to produce this event, shining a light on the heartwarming entertainment that brings families together and enriches our shared experiences,” said executive producer David McKenzie.

“As a parent, I’m always looking for good family programming that we can all watch together and we need to encourage the importance of family,” noted Laura McKenzie.

Added Elizabeth Stanton: “Growing up I remember watching shows that we could all enjoy together. The memories are wonderful, and that’s why these awards are so valuable. They really help bring us all together.”

Laura McKenzie and Elizabeth Stanton, who co-executive produce the Family Film and TV Awards, appear on the telecast alongside Dean Cain and Montel Williams.

“In the business where we seem to see violence and such unhappiness everywhere it’s truly refreshing and important to bring and honor family programming,” noted Dean Cain.

Past and Present – A Family-Friendly Celebration

One classic TV show synonymous with the format, specifically the idyllic middle-class family model, is the sitcom Leave it to Beaver, which aired from 1957 to 1963 and centered around young Jerry Mathers as Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver. Mathers is being honored with the Icon Award at the Family Film and TV Awards.

“I feel so very grateful to have been a member of the Cleaver family on Leave It to Beaver. I always enjoyed being on the set with Barbara Billingsley, Hugh Beaumont, Tony Dow, Ken Osmond and all the cast members and crew,” said Jerry Mathers, who was nine years old when the beloved family comedy began. “The show crosses several generations and has brought so much comfort, joy and laughter to millions of people for the past 67 years!”

“Leave It to Beaver is still relevant and is seen in countries all over the world in a variety of different languages. So many people tell me they watch the show before they go to bed so they have a peaceful sleep,” added Mathers. “I am so very honored to have received this prestigious Icon Award from the Family Film and TV Awards.

More recent is the comedy Young Sheldon, which was spun-off from The Big Bang Theory and is nominated for an award in the category of Best Ensemble Television Series. It is competing against Abbott Elementary, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and The Spiderwick Chronicles. And it is indicative of the value of the family format.

The category of Best Game Show, meanwhile, demonstrates the enduring appeal of the family friendly category. Four of the five nominees – Family Feud, Let’s Make a Deal, The Price Is Right and Wheel of Fortune – have been airing for decades. Lingo, the fifth nominee, recently returned as a reboot hosted by RuPaul Charles.

A Surge in Family-Friendly Content

Post pandemic families gravitated back towards watching TV together, driving demand for content suitable for all ages. During this period of uncertainty, people naturally sought out uplifting and positive content that would not cause additional stress. And the rise of streaming platforms with diverse family-friendly content has made it easier for families to find shows everyone can enjoy.

One recent film that defines the concept of family friendly, past and present, and is available on multiple streaming platforms is Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the latest film in the Ghostbusters franchise. Nominated for Best Feature Film by The Family Film and TV Awards, the box office gross of over two million worldwide, this year to-date, makes Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire the fourth-biggest movie of 2024. It is competing opposite Arthur the King, Dune: Part Two, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and Twisters.

Also nominated in film, and in the category of Best Iconic Film, are Elf, Mary Poppins, The Karate Kid, The Princess Bride and Willow.

Partnership with U.S. Marines Toy for Tots Program

Again this year, Family Film and TV Awards supports the U.S. Marine Toys for Tots program, a year-round initiative dedicated to assisting families in need across the nation. In the spirit of giving, this year’s broadcast will feature a special segment highlighting the Marines’ impactful work in communities throughout the United States. The commitment by Toys for Tots goes beyond the holiday season; they also deliver books and educational resources to children all year long, empowering them with the tools they need to build their futures.

“Toys for Tots, which started in 1947, is an official activity of the U.S. Marine Corps. We had a general literacy program, but we were once known just as a Christmas time charity. And I knew we could do more,” said Lieutenant General James B. Laster, USMC (Retired), CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “So, in the spring of 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, we went out and distributed about three million toys, books, games to less fortunate children. It really resonated with the American people. We did it safely. And we developed the drive through distribution concept, which we still use to this day because it is more efficient.”

“The goal behind the Marine Toys for Tots program is to bring hope and joy to children and build a brighter future for them, and we have some great corporations and corporate sponsors that help us; Disney, Hasbro Toys, and Lego, for example. We are also now partnering with big city police departments in our efforts,” said Lieutenant General Laster. “Families understand the importance of being together and staying connected. We are grateful to CBS and ATI for The Family Film and TV Awards, which gives us brand exposure to the American people.”

And More Nominees Are…

Mark Wahlberg (Arthur the King), Ryan Reynolds (IF), Timothée Chalamet (Dune: Part Two), Zachary Levi (Harold and the Purple Crayon) and Zendaya (Dune: Part Two). Amandla Stenberg (The Acolyte), Gordon Cormier (Avatar: The Last Airbender), Iain Armitage (Young Sheldon), Louisa Harland (Renegade Nell) and Walker Scobell (Percy Jackson and the Olympians). These are the individual actors nominated for in the film and television categories at this year’s Family Film and TV Awards. And you can find out who will win this Saturday, November 9 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Family still matters, and it is the inherent theme is this annual awards gala.

This post was originally published on here