Chaz Bono Documentary 'BECOMING CHAZ' Receives Three Primetime Emmy Award Nominations

Network Announces New Special "Chaz & Jen" Coming to OWN This Fall

Nominations Mark the First for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

The Chaz Bono documentary "Becoming Chaz," which had its world television premiere on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and launched the OWN Documentary Club, received three primetime Emmy nominations including Outstanding Nonfiction Special, Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming and Outstanding Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming.  The film is directed and produced by award-winning filmmakers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato.  The nominations mark the first for OWN.

Additionally, the network announced today "Chaz & Jen" a documentary special will debut on OWN this fall featuring Chaz Bono and his girlfriend Jennifer Elia as they navigate their lives together post Chaz's gender transformation surgery.
"We're so proud to be a part of Chaz's remarkable journey and we are thrilled for Randy, Fenton and Chaz.  This is a great beginning for the OWN Documentary Club," said Lisa Erspamer, executive vice president, production and development, OWN.  "We can't wait to bring the next chapter of Chaz's story to viewers in this new special."

Said Chaz Bono, "We set out to share my story honestly, hoping to help others.  The staggering response we've received culminating in this huge honor of being nominated for an Emmy is simply amazing."

"This nomination will create more opportunities for people to experience Chaz's heroic journey and help humanize this issue. We are thrilled," said Randy Barbato.  Added Fenton Bailey, " 'Becoming Chaz' was a unique and transformational documentary film-making experience."

"Becoming Chaz" launched the OWN Documentary Club, and is the story of Chaz Bono's emotional and physical gender transition, a journey of identity and self-discovery.  Born Chastity, the only child of the legendary musical team Sonny and Cher, Chaz grew up feeling uncomfortable in the spotlight, struggling to live inside a body that he knew wasn't truly his.  Deciding there was no choice but to undergo sex reassignment surgery, Chaz and his girlfriend Jennifer decided to document his deeply personal transformation so that others can learn from his experience.

The film and special is produced by Bailey and Barbato's World of Wonder who have been the creative forces behind a long history of powerful, groundbreaking and innovative documentaries and features.  The documentary was edited by Cameron Teisher.

Upcoming documentaries in the OWN Documentary Club include "Serving Life" premiering July 28, "Life 2.0" premiering August 25, "Most Valuable Players" premiering in September, "Miss Representation" premiering in October, "Crime After Crime" premiering in November and "One Lucky Elephant" premiering in December.