Chicago Film on Austin Neighborhood Wins 2026 Emmy for Community Storytelling

A 36-minute documentary about Chicago’s Austin neighborhood won an Emmy award on Saturday, marking a formal recognition of local grassroots efforts by a major television industry body. The win occurred at the 68th annual Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards, a local chapter of the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The ceremony was held at the Swissôtel Chicago at 323 E. Wacker Drive.

The film, titled “The Good News,” received the award for Outstanding Achievement for Branded Content, Long Form Content. It was co-produced by the local nonprofit Austin Coming Together and the Chicago production company PRIME 312. The award recognized producers Christopher Hoerdemann and Norma Hoerdemann. Associate producers La’Shawna Bundy, Grace Cooper, Arewa Najm Ekua, Nyla Larry, and Ethan Ramsay also received the honor. The documentary competed against one other nominee, “Southpaw North,” a film about a teenage boxer at Northridge Preparatory School.

Darnell Shields, executive director of Austin Coming Together, said the win is a tribute to the work happening in the neighborhood. He noted that when the group began organizing around a quality-of-life plan in 2018, residents made changing the narrative about Austin a priority. Shields stated that for far too long, the neighborhood has been defined by disinvestment and headlines focusing on challenges. He said the film tells a different story, one of community, power, strength, and resilience.

The documentary features local organizers, residents, and business owners. It highlights the nonprofit’s initiative known as “Austin Forward. Together.” This comprehensive quality-of-life plan seeks to address seven core issues in the community. These issues include education, housing, youth empowerment, economic development, public safety, and public narrative. The film took nearly a year to complete, but Shields said the stories within it have been underway for decades.

Shields said the organization did not aim for an Emmy when it set out to make the film. Each year, Austin Coming Together hosts a community summit. While preparing for the Aspire Center’s grand opening in June 2025, the nonprofit decided hosting a summer summit might be difficult. They saw film as another way to honor Austin and the organization’s work. Shields described attending the awards ceremony as surreal, noting he never thought such a moment was possible when he started in 2018.

Shields said he feels proud and privileged to have attended the ceremony. He stated that if you spend any time in Austin, you know the people and their stories have always been worthy. He said he was humbled by the opportunity to represent his community for a prestigious moment. Shields said the Emmy belongs to the community of Austin, his lifelong home. He identified the residents and community leaders as the stars of the documentary.

The film is not currently available to watch online. People can join the Austin Coming Together mailing list to find out about private screenings. Those interested in bringing the film to their community or hosting a screening can reach out to associate producer Ethan Ramsay at eramsay@austincomingtogether.org. Filmmakers will provide a screening toolkit and can attend showings to engage with audiences. Shields said it is important to keep talking about the issues the community has contended with and how leaders have worked together to bring about solutions.

Shields expressed hope that more people will visit the Austin he knows and loves. He wants residents and visitors to see the neighborhood not just as a subject of negative narratives, but as a place of thriving. The nonprofit continues to pave this path, and Shields said he is proud that Austin is getting the recognition it deserves now.