After the death of Malik Bendjelloul, who threw himself in front of a subway train, a THR writer heads to Sweden to talk to his friends, who reveal the perfectionist's quirks -- from eating the same breakfast for six months to walking one lap around his apartment before and after work -- and open up about his fear, doubt and their own surprise: "He was the least likely to take his life."
The Hollywood Reporter was honored with 14 awards, including best entertainment publication and best website, at the seventh annual National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards, held Sunday night at the Millennium Biltmore in downtown Los Angeles.
In addition, THR Esq., from senior editor Eriq Gardner, was named best entertainment blog.
Also among THR‘s 14 wins were two for senior writer Gary Baum, whose feature “No Animals Were Harmed” was named best news story in the print (newspaper or magazines) category and best investigative category (any media platform).
In the best obituary category (any media platform), senior editor Mike Barnes, THR.com deputy news director Erik Hayden, THR.com staff editor Hilary Lewis and Debbie Emery won for “Philip Seymour Hoffman Dead at 46.”
Freelance writer Scott Johnson won best feature (celebrity) over 1,000 words for “The Final Days of an Oscar Winner,” about Searching for Sugar Man director Malik Bendjelloul. The latter story also earned Janice Min, co-president and chief creative officer of Guggenheim Media’s Entertainment Group, an award for best headline: “Oscar to Suicide in One Year.“
Senior editor Alex Ben Block won for best feature under 1,000 words for “A Filmmaker’s Prison Nightmare Over Tax Credits.”
Meanwhile, chief TV critic Tim Goodman was cited as best print columnist.
Senior TV writer Lesley Goldberg won the award for best news, online (general) for “Sandra Oh to Exit ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (Exclusive).“
In the photography categories, THR scored a win for “Ricky Gervais” for photographer Austin Hargrave, creative director Shanti Marlar and photo and video director Jennifer Laski.
THR also won best documentary or special program (feature): video producer Stephanie Fischette, executive editor, features Stephen Galloway, executive editor Matthew Belloni, director Raphael Laski and Jennifer Laski for “Oscar Actress Roundtable 2013.”
For best multimedia package, THR scored another win “The Descendants of Solomon Northup” for senior reporter Rebecca Sun, photographer Wesley Mann, Laski, Marlar and photo editor Michelle Stark.
Also at the event, Nancy O’Dell received the L.A. Press Cub’s Luminary Award, while Quincy Jones was presented with the Visionary Award.
For more details, visit the L.A. Press Club’s website.
