The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the winners of the 40th International Emmy® Awards tonight at a Gala event held at the New York Hilton, hosted by Regis Philbin.

Winners span 6 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. For the first time, both performance categories were won by an Actor and Actress from the same series, Television x La Inclusion (Argentina).

2 time Academy Award & Emmy Winner Jessica Lange presented the International Emmy Founders Award to Ryan Murphy, the creator, writer and director of television shows Glee , American Horror Story and Nip/Tuck. After receiving his award, Murphy in turn, presented the 2 special 40th anniversary Founders Awards to global television legends Alan Alda (*M*A*S*H *) and Norman Lear (All in The Family ).

The International Emmy Directorate Award was presented to Dr. Kim In-Kyu, President & CEO of KBS, (Korean Broadcasting System), also President of the ABU (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union) by musician/producer/entrepreneur J.Y. Park after a taped address by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

The 9 International Emmy Award Winning programs and performances are: Songs of War (Arts Programming), Darío Grandinetti (Best Performance by an Actor), Cristina Banegas (Best Performance by an Actress), The Invisible Woman (Comedy) , Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die (Documentary), Braquo season 2 (Drama Series), The Amazing Race Australia (Non-Scripted Entertainment), The Illusionist (Telenovela), and Black Mirror (TV Movie/Mini-Series) . Complete winners information follows this release.

“The International Academy is proud to be shining the spotlight on the world’s best television programming and performances, for the last 40 years, and we congratulate tonight’s winners for their outstanding achievements as they enter into Emmy history.” said Academy President Bruce L. Paisner.

The 2012 International Emmy® Awards Winners:

Arts Programming
Songs of War
a&o buero filmproduktion / ZDF / ARTE
Germany

Music elates, touches the soul, and bypasses reason. Music is magic. This magic can also turn music into an insidious weapon. In Songs of War , the relationship between music and violence is explored.

Best Performance by an Actor
Darío Grandinetti
as Mario
Television x la Inclusion – Suelo Argentino

ON TV Llorente y Villarruel Contenidos / INCAA (Instituto Nacional de Cine y Artes Audiovisuales)
Argentina

Mario is a taxi driver to whom life has not been kind. He is divorced and lives in a humble house. When he finds out that his new neighbors are from Peru, his hatred towards Peruvians will trigger a war against the neighbors which won’t stop until they move out of their home.

Best Performance by an Actress
Cristina Banegas
as Paula
Television x la Inclusion – Sin Cobertura
ON TV Llorente y Villarruel Contenidos / INCAA (Instituto Nacional de Cine y Artes Audiovisuales)
Argentina

Paula is the mother of Fernanda, a girl with Down Syndrome who is in urgent need of heart surgery. The health insurance company that covered the procedure has now merged with Argenlife, and the authorization for treatment has been denied. Paula fights to save her daughter’s life, aided only by her own perseverance.

Comedy
The Invisible Woman
TV Globo / Conspiração Filmes
Brazil

Pedro works in publicity and is married to his boss Clarisse. Another woman suddenly reappears in his life: Amanda, a figment of his imagination that represents his ideal lover. Even though Pedro knows Amanda doesn’t really exist, her presence in his life threatens his relationship with Clarisse.

Documentary
Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die
BBC / KEO
United Kingdom

Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2008, author Sir Terry Pratchett wants to know whether he could decide to end his life before the disease takes over. He travels to the Dignitas Clinic in Switzerland, where he witnesses firsthand the procedures set out for an assisted death.

Drama Series
Braquo season 2
CANAL + Original Programming / CAPA DRAMA / BAD COMPANY
France

Police officer Eddie Caplan and his group have been arrested for their crimes. Caplan is sent to prison to await trial. In the outside world, however, violence and greed continue to prevail.

Non-Scripted Entertainment
The Amazing Race Australia
Active TV / Seven Network / ABC Studios
Australia

Eleven teams of two from across Australia race around the world in a 50,000 kilometer, 12 country adventure. Teams compete in a series of challenges at each destination, but some will find the biggest challenge is just getting there.

Telenovela
The Illusionist
TV Globo
Brazil

Herculano Quintanilha is a scam artist in a small town who is accused of robbery and imprisoned. In jail he meets master Ferragus who teaches him about the fascinating world of magic. Upon his release he begins to work as an illusionist. He also befriends Marcos, the rebellious son of the powerful Hayalla family.

TV Movie/Mini-Series
Black Mirror
Zeppotron Productions for Channel 4
United Kingdom

A twisted parable for the Twitter age, Black Mirror taps into the collective unease about our modern world.