LATINO PUBLIC BROADCASTING TO RECEIVE THE IMAGEN FOUNDATION’S PRESTIGIOUS NORMAN LEAR AWARD
Award to be presented at Imagen Awards Gala on August 12
(Los Angeles, CA) August 9, 2011 – Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB), a non-profit organization funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), is pleased to announce that it will be honored with the prestigious Norman Lear Award at the 26th Annual Imagen Awards gala on Friday, August 12th, 2011 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. The Norman Lear Award is given each year to a Latino writer or entity that has excelled creatively to dispel negative stereotypes and perceptions of the Latino community. Latino Pubic Broadcasting Executive Director Sandie Viquez Pedlow and LPB founder and Chairman of the Board Edward James Olmos will be on hand to accept the award.
The Imagen Awards were created 26 years ago by The National Conference for Community and Justice (formerly The National Conference of Christians and Jews), based on a suggestion by television producer Norman Lear to improve media portrayals of the Latino community in feature films and television. Called “the Golden Globes of the Latino community,” the Imagen Awards are one of the most prestigious awards of its kind in the entertainment industry.
An excerpt of the award announcement follows:
“Through the funding and supporting of Latino oriented programming for public television, Latino Public Broadcasting has made a significant contribution in creating a better understanding of Latinos and Latino cultures in the United States. LPB’s noncommercial educational and cultural programming has given a voice to our community and shared with the nation the beauty of our traditions and our contributions to the arts, culture and the humanities. In addition, LPB has provided numerous opportunities for Latino producers through their support and promotion of television projects as well as independent films. As Mr. Lear impacted the thoughts and perceptions of television viewers so has LPB. There is no one more deserving of this Norman Lear legacy award than Latino Public Broadcasting.”
LPB Founder and Chairman of the Board Edward James Olmos said, “These are exciting, dynamic as well as challenging times for public media and this award is a true honor and a wonderful validation of our work at LPB. As our Latino community increases in numbers, diversity and influence, we are more committed than ever to helping producers tell our stories and reaching ever broader audiences.”
LPB’s Sandie Viquez Pedlow assumed the role of Executive Director in July after a long career in public media and as an LPB board member. Pedlow said, “Since our inception thirteen years ago, Latino Public Broadcasting has strived to champion the Latino creative community. We’ve shepherded more than 200 projects, including several Imagen Award winners and nominees, including this year’s Best Documentary nominee “The Longoria Affair”. It’s an honor to be recognized by our community and we look plan to continue breaking new ground, breaking down barriers and creating programming that reflects our wonderfully rich and diverse experience.”
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About Latino Public Broadcasting
LPB brings new audiences to public television with a recognizable impact on a broad range of viewers that complement and challenge existing public television offerings. LPB’s mission is to support the development, production, post-production, acquisition and distribution of non-commercial educational and cultural content that is representative of or addresses issues of particular interest to U.S. Latinos. Created in 1998 by Edward James Olmos and Marlene Dermer, LPB has provided more than 100 hours of programming to public television, funded more than 200 projects, and organized approximately 100 workshops, panels and screenings for the advancement of Latino producers to showcase the rich spectrum of Latino-American culture. LPB collaborates with other minority consortia, and works closely with the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), American Public Television (APT), Independent Television Service (ITVS) and POV to maximize its presence on public television. Latino Public Broadcasting is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. For more information, go to www.lpbp.org.
About The Imagen Awards
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 in the industry, as well as those seeking careers in entertainment. For more information, go to www.imagen.org.
Contact:
CaraMar Publicity
Mary Lugo 770-623-8190 lugo@negia.net
Cara White 843-881-1480 cara.white@mac.com823 Views
