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.

"This year we saw a massive increase in both the quantity and quality of exceptional submissions across categories," stated Helen Hernandez, Founder and President of The Imagen Foundation and creator of the pioneering Imagen Awards. "The A-list stars and luminaries this ceremony attracts each year from the world of Latino entertainment is truly reflective of the increased prevalence that we play in Hollywood, mainstream America, and throughout the world.”

The awards included presenters and coverage from LATV,  the nation’s first bilingual entertainment/music network distributed via digital multicast, that will broadcast a one-hour special on their channel featuring Red Carpet arrivals and behind-the-scenes exclusives of nominated/winning Latinos from the 2008 Imagen Awards ceremony.

The Imagen Awards were established in 1985 to encourage and recognize the positive portrayal of Latinos in the media. The awards strive to increase Latino representation at all levels of the industry by proving recognition to emerging and established Latinos in the entertainment industry.

The winners are:

Lifetime Achievement Award (Foundation Legacy Award): Tony Plana

Norman Lear Writer's Award (Foundation Legacy Award): Ligiah Villalobos, "La Misma Luna”

Creative Achievement Award (Foundation Legacy Award): Rodrigo Garcia

Film-Best Picture: "La Misma Luna"

Film Best Actor: Adrian Alonso, "La Misma Luna"

Film Best Actress: Kate del Castillo, "La Misma Luna"

Film Best Supporting Actress: Leonor Varela, "Where God Left His Shoes"

Film Best Supporting Actor: Eungene Durbez, "La Misma Luna"

Film Best Director: Patricia Riggen, "La Misma Luna"

Film Best Theatrical Short or Student Film: "A Day at the Theatre"

TV Best Documentary: "Brown is the New Green"

TV Best Primetime Program: "Ugly Betty"

TV Best Actor: Carlos Mencia, "Mind of Mencia"

TV Best Actress: Christina Milian, "Snowglobe"

TV Best Supporting Actor: Tony Plana, "Ugly Betty"

TV Best Supporting Actress: Dania Ramirez, "Heroes"

TV Best Variety or Reality Show: "Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan"

TV Best Children's Programming: "Go, Diego, Go"

TV Best Local Informational Programming: "Fox 11 News: Alter the Melee"

TV Best National Informational Programming: "Nick News With Linda Ellerbee Presents I'm American! They're Not!"

TV Best On Air Advertising: "MTV3 Tu Pride"

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

 

The Imagen Foundation works to enhance opportunities for Latinos in front of and behind the camera.  Based in the Los Angeles area, the Imagen Foundation serves as a liaison between the industry and the Latino community by providing access, education and resources. Additional information regarding the Imagen Foundation is available at www.imagen.org.