The City of Federal Way will soon be displaying a prized statuette from the 28 Annual Telly Awards, a national competition that honors excellence in television, video, web, and film production.

This year's Telly Award winners were selected from more than 13,000 entries received from companies and organizations of varying sizes in all 50 states.

A panel of 27 judges chose award winners, who receive Silver or Bronze Tellies based on creative merit and overall quality.

Federal Way won a Bronze Telly for its quarterly cable television news magazine, "City Update". The project began in the Spring of 2005 as a means for the City to connect with its citizens on a more personal basis, bringing them in-depth information on projects, activities, special events, community organizations, and news of interest.

On the recommendation of the Rainier Communication Commission, the City contracted with Sid Lee of Yukon Harbor Productions to direct and produce the first video.

City employee Natalie Rees, who has a long theatre and performing arts background, was chosen as the program host.

"City Update", which is filmed on locations throughout the city, has become quite successful, expanding in concept and creativity during the past two years.

Sid Lee personally films and edits each segment, while Ms. Rees has become the program's coordinator and writer, as well as its host.

The winning segment was filmed in Spring 2006 at the Knutzen Family Theatre.

"We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award," said Federal Way Mayor Michael Park. "We have a small budget. But we still won this national award. It is a credit to Sid, Natalie, and our great city."

The Telly Awards were founded in 1978 by David Carter, a past Emmy and Clio winner, to honor excellence in local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programming, as well as the finest video and film productions.

It is one of the most sought-after awards by industry leaders, from large international firms to local production companies and ad agencies. Entrants do not compete against each other, but instead are judged on the highest standard of merit.

Past Telly winners include such diverse organizations as Nickelodeon, Microsoft, the Hallmark Channel, FX Networks, Marshall Field's, The History Channel, CNN, ThinkStreet, Nike, Inc., Discovery Education, Comedy Central, and Turner Classic Movies.

"City Update" can be seen on FWtv (Channel 21) daily at 8:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 4:00 p.m., and 11:30 p.m.