Disney’s “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” Lifetime’s “Little Girl Lost,” Maya’s “Maldeamores” and ABC’s “Ugly Betty” Score Multiple Wins at Event Honoring Latino Talent and Projects in Television, Film and Live Theater

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. Winners of the 24th Annual Imagen Awards, honoring positive portrayals of Latinos and Latino culture in entertainment, were announced tonight at a star-studded black-tie gala held in the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The awards were handed out in front of an audience of over five hundred attendees representing the entertainment industry and Latino community. Among the celebrities in attendance were Andy Garcia, Benjamin Bratt, Jimmy Smits, Edward James Olmos, Nadine Velazquez, Judy Reyes and Paul Rodriguez, among many others.

In addition to winners in twenty-one different categories from film and television, as well as live stage productions, special honors were presented to veteran motion picture agent Emanuel Nunez (Lifetime Achievement), television executive producer and writer Silvio Horta (Creative Achievement), screenwriter Roberto Orci (Norman Lear Writer’s Award), and Latino community leader Dolores Huerta (President’s Award).

The Imagen (pronounced ee-mah-hen, Spanish for “image”) Awards program was established in 1985 from a suggestion by veteran television producer Norman Lear to encourage and recognize the positive portrayals of Latinos in the media. Later, as The Imagen Foundation, it expanded its programs and initiatives to further its mission to serve as a bridge between the Latino community and the entertainment industry in providing access, education, and resources for Latinos both in the industry, as well as those seeking careers in entertainment. Major sponsors of the Imagen Awards event included Nielsen, The Walt Disney Company, ABC, The Lear Family Foundation, CBS, Warner Bros., Paramount, Latino Public Broadcasting, The Hollywood Reporter, Fox, CAA, A&E, ABC7, GSN, NBC/Telemundo and Variety.

Winners were selected by an independent panel of entertainment industry executives and Latino community leaders. Following are the winners for this year’s Imagen Awards in their respective categories. [Please note that the categories of Best Actress/Feature Film and Best Supporting Actress/Feature Film did not meet the minimum number of entries required for award consideration and therefore were eliminated from contention.] 

Best Primetime Television Program: Little Girl Lost: The Delimar Vera Story (Lifetime);

Best Actor/Television: Hector Bustamante, Little Girl Lost: The Delimar Vera Story (Lifetime);

Best Actress/ Television: America Ferrera, Ugly Betty (ABC);

Best Supporting Actor/Television: Raymond Cruz, The Closer (TNT);

Best Supporting Actress/Television: Ana Ortiz, Ugly Betty (ABC);

Best Children’s Programming: Dora The Explorer (Nickelodeon);

Best Documentary/ Television: A Class Apart (Latino Public Broadcasting);

Best National Informational Program: Despierta America – De Lava Platos a Chef (Univision);

Best Local Informational Program: Vista L.A. (KABC);

Best On-Air Advertising: FSE Strings (Fox Sports en Español);

Best On-Air Advertising (PSA’s): University Health Systems – Child in Injury (Creative Civilization);

Best Variety or Reality Show: Quiero Mis Quinces –Cristina (MTV Tr3s);

Best Feature Film: Beverly Hills Chihuahua (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures);

Best Actor/Feature Film: Luis Guzman, Maldeamores (Maya Entertainment);

Best Supporting Actor/Feature Film: Manolo Cardona, Beverly Hills Chihuahua (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures);

Best Director/Feature Film: Carlitos Ruiz, Maldeamores (Maya Entertainment);

Best Feature Documentary: Beisbol (Winston Davis Assoc.);

Best Theatrical Short: St. Paul (Varona Prods.);

Best Live Theatrical Production: 8 Ways to Say I Love My Life and Mean It!

More information on the The Imagen Foundation organization as well as more details of the event can be found at www.imagen.org, on Twitter at twitter.com/imagenfound, as well as on Facebook.

24th Annual Imagen Awards Special Honorees Announced

CAA's Emanuel Nunez, "Ugly Betty" Ex. Prod. Silvio Horta, "Transformers" and "Star Trek" Screenwriter Roberto Orci, and Latino Community Icon Dolores Huerta Set to Be Honored August 21^st at Beverly Hilton Event

LOS ANGELES, CA - The Imagen Foundation has named their special honorees for the 24^th Annual Imagen (Spanish for "image") Awards, honoring positive portrayals of Latinos and Latino culture in entertainment, it was announced today by Imagen Foundation president and founder, Helen Hernandez. 

Set to be honored by the entertainment industry advocacy organization are veteran motion picture agent Emanuel Nunez, television executive producer and writer Silvio Horta, screenwriter Roberto Orci, and Latino community leader Dolores Huerta.

Nunez, who will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, has been an agent in the motion picture department at CAA since 1991, focusing on financial opportunities for the agency's clients in emerging global markets.  Horta, an executive producer and head writer of ABC's award-winning hit series "Ugly Betty," is set to receive the organization's Creative Achievement honor.  The Norman Lear Writer's Award, named in honor of the veteran television producer and Imagen co-founder, will be bestowed upon Orci, whose screenwriting credits include this year's blockbuster "Star Trek" and "Transformers" films, among many others.  Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers union with Cesar Chavez and is revered throughout the Latino community, will be receiving the prestigious President's Award.

"This year's selection of special honorees is indicative of the strides that Latinos have made, and continue to make, throughout the entertainment industry," said Hernandez.  "These incredibly talented individuals are a source of inspiration for all, regardless of background, and we look forward to honoring them and their achievements at this year's Imagen Awards gala."

 The 24^th Annual Imagen Awards will be presented at a black-tie dinner on Friday, August 21^st, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.  Major sponsors of the event include Nielsen, The Walt Disney Company, Disney/ABC Television Group, The Lear Family Foundation, The Hollywood Reporter, CBS, NBC, Warner Bros, A&E, Latino Public Broadcasting, Lifetime and Game Show Network.

Nominees for 24th Annual Imagen Awards Announced

Black-tie Event Scheduled for August 21st at Beverly Hilton Hotel to Honor Latino Talent and Projects in Television, Film and Live Theater

LOS ANGELES, CA - The Imagen Foundation has announced the nominees for the 24th Annual Imagen (Spanish for “image”) Awards, honoring positive portrayals of Latinos and Latino culture in entertainment. The awards will be presented at a black-tie dinner gala on Friday, August 21st, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Major sponsors of the event include Nielsen, The Walt Disney Company, Disney/ABC Television Group, The Lear Family Foundation and Latino Public Broadcasting.

The Imagen (pronounced ee-mah-hen) Awards program was established in 1985 from a suggestion by veteran television producer Norman Lear to encourage and recognize the positive portrayals of Latinos in the media. Later, as The Imagen Foundation, it expanded its programs and initiatives to further its mission to serve as a bridge between the Latino community and the entertainment industry in providing access, education, and resources for Latinos both in the industry, as well as those seeking careers in entertainment. More information on the organization as well as details of the event can be found at www.imagen.org, click here to visit our Facebook fan page, or www.twitter.com/imagenfound.

Winners will be selected by an independent panel of entertainment industry executives and Latino community leaders. Following are the finalists for this year’s Imagen Awards in their respective categories. [Please note that two categories did not meet the minimum number of entries required for award consideration and therefore have been eliminated from contention: Best Actress/Feature Film and Best Supporting Actress/Feature Film.]
Click here for the full release and a list of the nominees...

Latino Hollywood Insiders Honored for Accomplishments in 2008

November 6, 2008 – BEVERLY HILLS CA. A veritable “who’s who” of Latinos in the entertainment industry was honored today at the 2nd Annual “Most Powerful & Influential” Latinos in Entertainment Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Presented by The Imagen Foundation and Inside Latino Entertainment magazine, the ceremony honored over forty industry producers, directors, and senior executives from film and television who have distinguished themselves this past year (see complete list attached). Among those honored was Kenny Ortega, executive producer/director of the very popular Disney “High School Musical” franchise, including the current boxoffice hit “High School Musical 3.” More...

The Imagen Foundation would like to thank this year's
“Most Powerful & Influential” Latinos in Entertainment Luncheon Sponsors:

The 23rd Annual Imagen Awards Winners

BEVERLY HILLS – August 22, 2008 – The Hollywood stars were out last night in full force as nearly 1000 actors, entertainment industry executives, film and television studios and supporters attended the 23rd Annual Imagen Awards Gala ceremony at the nearly sold-out Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Actors John Leguizamo, Edward James Olmos, Lupe Ontiveros, Eva La Rue and Cesar Millan, Leonor Varela, Carlos Mencia, Dania Ramirez and many more could be seen gracing the Gala’s Red Carpet as fans, media, and the general public flocked to the hotel’s lobby and ballrooms for a glimpse.

18 awards were presented in a diverse range of entertainment categories in addition to several Imagen Foundation legacy awards: Actor Tony Plana received the Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award; HBO's In Treatment Producer/Director Rodrigo Garcia received the Creative Achievement Award; and Ligiah Villalobos, executive producer and writer of the feature film La Misma Luna, received the Foundation’s esteemed Norman Lear Writer's Award. MORE...

Click here to view the 23rd Annual Imagen Awards Winners.

Click here to view this year's nominees for the 2008 Imagen Awards.

Top Latina Leaders Celebrate Women’s History Month in Washington, DC

Washington, DC- The Imagen Foundation, in cooperation with Honorary Chair Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (D-CA), hosted an event to celebrate Women's History Month by honoring the contributions that Latinas have made in their communities. Seven extraordinary Latinas and Latina Magazine were recognized for their leadership and work. They were joined by a prestigious Honorary Committee including Congresswomen Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Linda T. Sanchez (D-CA), and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA).

"All of the women being honored tonight have had a positive impact on the Latina community and are an inspiration to countless young people nationwide," said Honorary Chair, Congresswoman Hilda Solis. "This dinner, being held at the Library of Congress, will give Latina leaders in business, government, media, and entertainment the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of these distinguished honorees."

President of The Imagen Foundation Helen Hernandez said, "The Imagen Foundation's early mission to recognize and celebrate positive portrayals of Latinas in television and film has been expanded. This year's honorees include Latinas from many different professional fields, all of whom are making positive contributions to our country's overall social fabric." Hernandez continued, "This event provides the Latina community with the chance to honor those who have made phenomenal progress in their professional careers, as well as teach young Latina women that they can truly make a difference." More...