LOS ANGELES, CA, May 29, 2003 – Recipients of the 2003 Imagen Awards were announced this evening at the 18th Annual Imagen Awards Gala that was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Hosting the event was Emmy Award winner Hector Elizondo and Grammy nominee Jaci Velasquez, star of the 20th Century Fox romantic comedy Chasing Papi.

Headlining the evening’s entertainment was singer Lila Downs and Soluna, the Latin pop group featuring the sensational voices of Jessica Castellanos, T Lopez, America Olivo and Aurora Rodriguez.

Also providing musical entertainment for the evening was singer Maggie Palomo whose band El Son De Los Angeles is one of the most sought after musical groups on the salsa circuit.

The Imagen Awards, presented in 23 categories by the Imagen Foundation, were established in 1985 to encourage and recognize the positive portrayal of Latinos in all media, and to increase Latino representation at all levels of the entertainment industry.

Additionally, the Foundation presents five additional awards that include Creative Achievement, Vision, Lifetime Achievement, the Norman Lear Writer’s Award and the President’s Award.

Executive producer of the awards program is Helen Hernandez, who has served in this capacity for the past 12 years. The program, directed by Jose Colomer, is produced by Dan Guerrero who has produced, written and directed non-broadcast live events at the Kennedy Center, and the Cite de la Musique in Paris, France.

Additional information regarding the Imagen Foundation and its awards program can be accessed on www.imagen.org, or by calling (818) 344-4344

Best Documentary - Film
Los Zafiros/The Sapphires Music from the Edge of Time

Best Primetime Drama Series – Television
NYPD Blue - ABC

Best Actor – Television
Michael DeLorenzo
Resurrection Blvd. - Showtime

Best Primetime Comedy Series – Television
George Lopez - ABC

Best Actress – Television
Wanda De Jesus
Almost a Woman - PBS

Best Supporting Actor – Television
Freddy Rodriguez
Six Feet Under - HBO

Best Supporting Actress – Television
Lana Parrilla
Boomtown – NBC

Best Children’s Animated Programming – Television
Dora the Explorer – Nickelodeon

Best Children’s Non-Animated Programming – Television
The Brothers Garcia – Nickelodeon

Best Informational Programming – National Television
Urban Latino

Best Informational Programming – Local Television
Death of a Hero: The Enrique Camarena Story
Reporter Manny Medrano – KNBC

Best On-Air Advertising
“Library” for Verizon
La Agencia de Orci & Associates

Best Mini-Series or Movie for Television
Almost a Woman – PBS

Best Variety or Music Special
LATV Live! – KJLA Channel 57

Best Documentary – Television
The Palladium: Where Mambo was King – Bravo

Best Live Theatrical Production
Veterano: A Legacy of Valor

Best Picture (Drama or Comedy) - Film
Frida

Best Actor - Film
Alfred Molina
Frida

Best Actress- Film
Salma Hayek
Frida

Best Supporting Actor - Film
Luis Guzman
Punch Drunk Love

Best Supporting Actress - Film
Lupe Ontiveros
Real Women Have Curves

Best Director (Foreign or Domestic) - Film
Robert Rodriguez
Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams

Best Short or Student Film
White Like the Moon
Written and directed by Marina Gonzalez Palimier

Creative Achievement
Salma Hayek

Vision Award
George Lopez

Norman Lear Writer’s Award
Robert Rodriguez

Lifetime Achievement Award
Celia Cruz

President’s Award
Wells Fargo

The President’s Award is presented to Wells Fargo in recognition of their continued support as a major sponsor of the Imagen Awards, and for their acknowledgement of the importance of the Latino market, as well as the importance of Latinos in the entertainment industry.