International Television Awards to salute Janet Davies, Bill Zwecker

Bill Zwecker

Bill Zwecker

Janet Davies and Bill Zwecker, two of Chicago’s best known entertainment reporters, will be honored for their work by Cinema/Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival.

The two will be saluted April 20 at the 52nd Chicago International Television Awards, culminating a three-day event of special screenings and panel discussions celebrating excellence in television.

Janet Davies

Janet Davies

Davies, a reporter, host and producer at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7 since 1984, will receive the Chicago Legend Award.

Zwecker, who’s been a Sun-Times columnist for 24 years and doubles as entertainment reporter and film critic for Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32, will receive the Chicago Award.

Also honored at the event with the Career Achievement Award will be actress/director/playwright and Golden Globe Award-winner Regina Taylor. In addition, HBO will receive the Commitment to Excellence in Television Productions Award.

Awards also will be presented for television commercials and productions.

“As viewers of television, we invite those who appear on the small screen into our homes, creating a personal and valued experience,” Michael Kutza, the founder and director of Cinema/Chicago, said in a statement.

Regina Taylor

Regina Taylor

“Each one of this year’s honorees has taken that invitation to heart, whether it was allowing us to see a moving performance, sharing breaking entertainment news, enlightening us on the best films to see or introducing us to innovative, cutting-edge programming. Regina Taylor, Janet Davies, Bill Zwecker and HBO, as well as the deserving recipients for their work in commercial productions, are extraordinary examples of why television is so vital and meaningful,” he said.

Current and former Chicago television news anchors Dan Ponce and Robin Robinson will host the Chicago International Television Awards at AMC River East 21, 322 East Illinois Street. For schedule and ticket information see ChicagoFilmFestival.com.