The Telly Awards has named Diocese of Buffalo's Daybreak TV Productions a Bronze winner in the 37th Annual Telly Awards for two video productions, "Building a Basilica" in the documentary category and the Catholic Charities of Buffalo video "Open Hearts Change Lives"  in the Charitable/Not-for-profit category. 

"Open Hearts Change Lives," was produced for the 2016 Catholic Charities Appeal, under the campaign theme of Find Good Within. The video brings awareness to the Foster Care and Adoption Program, and the Monsignor Carr Institute Children's Clinic. The video was used in social media, television broadcasts and distribution to donors. 

The hour-long historical documentary "Building a Basilica," narrated by Brian Dennehy, tells the story of national shrine and Minor Basilica - Our Lady of Victory in Lackawanna. The privately funded documentary premiered nationally on ABC-TV affiliates in winter 2014 and again in Spring 2016. Distribution was provided by the Interfaith Broadcast Commission for the ABC-TV Faith and Value Series.

The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 and is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and online commercials, video and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world. This year, the Telly Awards received more than 13,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries.

A prestigious judging panel of over 500 accomplished industry professionals, each a past winner of a Silver Telly and a member of The Silver Telly Council, judged the competition, upholding the historical standard of excellence that Telly represents. The Silver Council evaluated entries to recognize distinction in creative work - entries do not compete against each other - rather entries are judged against a high standard of merit. Less than 10% of entries are chosen as Winners of the Silver Telly, our highest honor.  Approximately 25% of entries are chosen as Winners of the Bronze Telly. 

"The Telly Awards has a mission to honor the very best in film and video," said Linda Day, executive director of the Telly Awards. "Daybreak TV Productions' accomplishment illustrates their creativity, skill, and dedication to their craft and serves as a testament to great film and video production."

To find out more about Daybreak TV Productions, visit www.daybreaktv.org.