The International Emmy Awards are set to make history this November as the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced a record-breaking slate of nominees for the 2025 ceremony. On Thursday, September 25, 2025, the Academy revealed that 64 contenders from 26 different countries will compete across 16 categories, underscoring the truly global character of today’s television industry. Not only is this the largest number of countries ever represented in the International Emmys, but the breadth of content and voices on display is nothing short of remarkable.
According to Variety, the United Kingdom leads the pack with 12 nominations, maintaining its reputation as a powerhouse in international television. But this year’s list is far from Eurocentric. Countries from every corner of the globe are in the running, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong — China, India, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates. The diversity is not only geographical but also cultural and thematic, reflecting the evolving landscape of storytelling in the streaming era.
Streaming giant Netflix stands out among the production and studio nominees, leading with five nods. Notably, the platform’s popular reality series "Love is Blind: Habibi," produced in the United Arab Emirates, is among those recognized. This marks a significant moment for global streaming services, which have increasingly become engines of cross-cultural exchange and creative experimentation.
International Academy President and CEO Bruce L. Paisner captured the excitement and significance of this year’s nominations in his official statement: “This year’s nominees reflect the global strength of our industry. New York City will once again serve as the global stage this November, where we will honor their remarkable achievements.” His words echo the sense of anticipation building among industry insiders and fans alike, as New York prepares to host the International Emmy World Television Festival from November 21 to 23, 2025. The festival will feature a packed schedule of panels, presentations, and partner events, culminating in the glittering 53rd International Emmy Awards Gala on November 24, where the winners will be revealed.
The nominees themselves represent an eclectic mix of genres, formats, and creative visions. In the Arts Programming category, for example, the United Kingdom’s “Art Matters with Melvyn Bragg” will compete against France’s “DJ Mehdi: Made In France,” Brazil’s “Herchcovitch; Exposto” (“Herchcovitch; Exposed”), and Japan’s “Ryuichi Sakamoto: Last Days.” The Best Performance by an Actor category is similarly diverse, with Diljit Dosanjh nominated for “Amar Singh Chamkila” (India), David Mitchell for “Ludwig” (United Kingdom), Oriol Pla for “Yo, adicto” (“I, Addict,” Spain), and Diego Vasquez for “One Hundred Years of Solitude” (Colombia).
On the Best Performance by an Actress side, Charlotte Hope is recognized for “Catch Me A Killer” (South Africa), Anna Maxwell Martin for “Until I Kill You” (United Kingdom), Carolina Miranda for “Mujeres Asesinas – Season 2” (Mexico), and Maria Sid for “Smärtpunkten” (“Pressure Point,” Sweden). This spread of nominations across continents and languages is a testament to the increasing recognition of talent and storytelling that transcends borders.
Comedy is well represented, too. South Korea’s “Chicken Nugget,” France’s “Iris,” the U.K.’s “Ludwig,” and Mexico’s “Y Llegaron de Noche” (“They Came at Night”) are all vying for the top spot. The current affairs and documentary categories delve into urgent and timely topics, with entries like “Dispatch: Kill Zone: Inside Gaza” (United Kingdom), “Philippines: Diving for Gold” (France), “Repórter Record Investigação: Desaparecidos Forçados” (“Enforced Disappearances,” Brazil), and “Walk the Line” (Singapore) offering global perspectives on some of the world’s most pressing issues.
Children’s programming has a strong showing, with animated favorites like Australia’s “Bluey,” Singapore’s “Lamput – Season 4,” Brazil’s “Lupi e Baduki,” and Finland’s “Muumilaakso – Season 4” (“Moominvalley”) competing for recognition. Meanwhile, factual and live-action kids’ series from Germany, Brazil, the U.K., South Africa, Kenya, and Norway highlight the importance of youth-oriented content in shaping future generations of viewers.
The News category, always a bellwether for the state of global journalism, features “Fantástico: El Salvador: Safety’s Somber Side” (Brazil), “The Gangs of Haiti” (United Kingdom), “Gaza, Search for Life” (Qatar), and “Syria – The Truth Coming Out” (Sweden), demonstrating the International Emmys’ commitment to honoring courageous reporting from around the world.
In Non-Scripted Entertainment, Canada’s “Big Brother: Canada – Season 12,” the UAE’s “Love is Blind: Habibi,” Mexico’s “¿Quién es la Máscara? – Season 6” (“The Masked Singer”), and Denmark’s “Shaolin Heroes” are among the nominees. The Short-Form Series category includes “Beyond Dancing” (Hong Kong — China), “La médiatrice” (“The Mediator,” Canada), “My Dead Mom” (Canada), and “Todo se Transforma – Season 4” (“Change is Everything,” Argentina), highlighting the growing popularity of bite-sized storytelling.
Sports documentaries, telenovelas, and TV movies/mini-series round out the nominations, with entries such as “Argentina ‘78” (Argentina), “Chasing the Sun 2” (South Africa), “It’s All Over: The Kiss That Changed the Spanish Football” (Spain), “Sven” (United Kingdom), “Deha” (“The Good & The Bad,” Türkiye), “Mania de Vocȇ” (“Crazy About You,” Brazil), “Regreso a Las Sabinas” (“Return to Las Sabinas,” Spain), “Valle Salvaje” (Spain), “Amar Singh Chamkila” (India), “Herrhausen: The Banker and the Bomb” (Germany), “Lost Boys & Fairies” (United Kingdom), and “Vencer o Morir” (“Victory or Death,” Chile).
One can’t help but marvel at the sheer range of stories, cultures, and perspectives represented in this year’s International Emmy nominations. As Bruce L. Paisner emphasized, “This year’s nominees reflect the global strength of our industry.” The ceremony in New York promises not only to celebrate individual achievements but also to spotlight the collaborative, borderless nature of contemporary television.
All eyes will be on New York City this November as the world’s best and brightest television talents gather for what promises to be a milestone event in the industry’s ongoing evolution.
