Austin Documentary Sweeps Chicago Emmy for Community Narrative Shift
A 36-minute film produced by a local nonprofit won an award for branded content, with organizers saying the victory validates years of grassroots work to redefine the West Side.
By Rafael Delgado ·
A documentary focused on grassroots efforts in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago won the Outstanding Achievement for Branded Content, Long Form Content award at the 68th annual Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards. The ceremony, hosted by the local chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, concluded last weekend at the Swissôtel Chicago on the city’s South Loop.
The winning film, titled "The Good News," was co-produced by the nonprofit Austin Coming Together and production company PRIME 312. The 36-minute production features interviews with local organizers, residents, and business owners. It centers on the organization’s initiative, Austin Forward. Together, a quality-of-life plan designed to address seven core community issues. These areas include education, housing, youth empowerment, economic development, public safety, and public narrative.
Darnell Shields, executive director of Austin Coming Together, stated that the group did not originally set out to compete for an Emmy. The nonprofit began organizing around the quality-of-life plan in 2018. Residents identified the need to change the prevailing narrative about the neighborhood. Shields noted that Austin had long been defined by disinvestment and negative headlines. The film was intended to tell a different story focused on community strength and resilience.
The decision to produce the film emerged from logistical challenges. The organization was preparing for the grand opening of the Aspire Center in June 2025. Shields said hosting a summer community summit, a standard annual event, became difficult during that period. The team viewed the film as an alternative method to honor the neighborhood and its ongoing work.
The project required nearly a year to complete. Shields described the award as a surreal moment, particularly for the community development sector. He stated that the stories in the documentary have been developing for decades. The award recognized producers Christopher Hoerdemann and Norma Hoerdemann, along with associate producers La’Shawna Bundy, Grace Cooper, Arewa Najm Ekua, Nyla Larry, and Ethan Ramsay. The film’s fellow nominee was "Southpaw North," a documentary about a teenage boxer at Northridge Preparatory School.
"The Good News" is not available for streaming online. Viewers can join the Austin Coming Together mailing list to learn about private screenings. Individuals interested in hosting a local screening can contact associate producer Ethan Ramsey. The filmmakers plan to provide a screening toolkit and attend showings to facilitate discussion.
Shields said he feels proud and privileged to have represented his community at the prestigious ceremony. He emphasized that the award belongs to the lifelong home of the producers. The goal is to encourage more people to visit Austin and engage with the positive narratives being created by local leaders.
