The 2015 Gabriel Awards honoring excellence in film, television, radio and internet were presented to top communicators, acknowledging outstanding artistic achievement in media that entertains and enriches with a true vision of humanity, at the Catholic Media Conference held this year in Buffalo, New York. Sponsored by the Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals, the Gabriel Awards celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.
“Our goal is to recognize the best in creativity and programming that reflects the wonderful achievements of humanity,” said Susan Wallace, this year’s Chair of the Gabriel Awards. “Gabriel Award honorees are recognized as leaders in reaching out to their audiences….communicators of truth and beauty.
“Entrants go through a highly selective process of preliminary screening and blue-ribbon judging, which includes judging in values, content, creativity, artistic quality, technical quality and impact. By maintaining high standards, the Academy is able to reward media professionals for outstanding work that might otherwise not be recognized for its enrichment value.”
Two individual awards were presented at the 2015 Gabriel Awards. The first went to Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C., President of Holy Cross Family Ministries, who received the President’s Medallion Award sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. It is the Catholic Academy’s highest membership honor, recognizing lifetime achievement and service to Catholic communications. Father Raymond has been an avid supporter of the Catholic Academy and the Gabriel Awards. He has served as host of the Gabriel Awards in Hollywood, connected with celebrities, and provided ongoing financial support.
This second individual award went to Father Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., CEO of Salt and Light Television and a Vatican media representative for major papal events. He received the Clarion Award, which recognizes individuals for “good work well done recently” in Catholic communications. Father Rosica is a broadcaster, filmmaker and church spokesman. His portrayal of the Catholic Church brings the light of the Gospel to millions.
The 2015 Gabriel Award winners for the 2014 broadcast and theatrical release year are:
Short Feature
- Radio, National Release – “After Months of Homelessness, a Teen Leaves the Woods Behind” by North Country Public Radio of Canton, NY
- Radio, Local Release – “Ottawa Morning: Allison’s Brain” by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Radio of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- TV, National Release – “CBC News: The National – The Reunion” by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation News of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- TV, Markets 1-25 – “A Dog For Chip” by WXIA-TV of Atlanta, Georgia.
- TV, Markets 26+ – “N’WeJinan” (“Our Home”) by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation North of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Community Awareness and/or PSA
- Radio, National or Local Release – “The Current: Diagnosis Dementia, Person-Centred Care” by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Radio of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- TV, National or Local Release – “Utah Honor Flight” by KSL of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Children’s
- TV, National or Local Release – “Kids Who Care” by WXIA-TV of Atlanta, Georgia.
Spanish-Language
- TV, News/Informational, less than 15 mins. – “Un Santo En La Cancha” (“A Saint on the Field”) by KMEX-TV 34 of Los Angeles, Calif.
- TV, Religious, National or Local Release – “Cristo Para Todos/Ofrenda, Diezmo o Limosna” (“Christ for All/Offering, Tithing or Alms”) by the Diocese of Trenton, N.J.
Film/Documentary
- “The Radical Kindness of Monsignor John Sheridan” by Our Lady of Malibu Church/4D Productions of Malibu, Calif.
Single News Story Series
- Radio, National or Local Release –
- — “As It Happens: Carol Off Interview with Barbara Winters” by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Radio of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- —“Sixteen and Homeless” by North Country Public Radio of Canton, N.Y.
- TV, National or Local Release – “60-Minute Miracle” by WKRN-TV of Nashville, Tenn.
News and Informational
- Radio, National Release – “James Martin – Finding God in All Things” by On Being –Krista Tippett Public Productions of Minneapolis, Minn.
- Radio, Local Release – “New Tech City: Ana and Mia” by WNYC Radio of New York, N.Y.
- TV, National Release – “60 Minutes: Cardinal Sean” by CBS News of New York, N.Y.
- TV, Local Release – “Land of 10,000 Stories” by KARE-TV of Minneapolis, Minn.
Religious
- Radio, National Release – “Life of Christ” Audio Production by Catholic Media Productions, Inc. of Nashville, Tenn.
- Radio, Local Release – “God With Us/Have We Lost the Mystery of Being Barefoot?” by St. Luke Lutheran Church and School of Cabot, Penn.
- TV, National Release – “Family Dinner” by Family Theater Productions of Hollywood, Calif.
- TV, Local Release – “Mitchell’s Journey” by KSL-TV of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Ecumenical and Interreligious
- TV, National or Local Release – “Camden Priest” by Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly of Washington, D.C.
Documentary
- Radio, National Release – “Black Box” by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Radio of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Radio, Local Release – “The View From Here: Who Cares” by Capital Public Radio of Sacramento, Calif.
- TV, National Release – “Messenger of The Truth” by Messenger of The Truth, LLC of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
- TV, Local Release – “Boston Marathon – The Road Ahead” by WBZ-TV of Boston, Mass.
Arts
- Radio, National or Local Release – “Triad Arts Weekend” by 88.5 WFDD Radio of Winston-Salem, N.C.
- TV, National or Local Release – “REEL FAITH” by DeSales Media Group, Inc./New Evangelization Television of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Entertainment
- Radio, National or Local Release – “Day 6: Disney and Autism” by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Radio of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- TV, National or Local Release – “The Color of Rain” by Crown Media Family Networks of Studio City, Calif.
New Media
- Internet Video, less than 10 mins. – “Shawn’s Eyes” by Lolek Productions of Bowling Green, Ky.
- Facebook, Single Post – “Raleigh Seminarian with Brain Cancer Speaks Out on Assisted Suicide” by Diocese of Raleigh, N.C.
Campaign of the Year
- “A Day in the Life of Nova Scotia” by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Television Station of the Year (Religious)
- EWTN Global Catholic Network of Irondale, Ala.
Television Station of the Year (Secular)
- WRAL-TV of Raleigh, N.C.
The Gabriel Awards are an important component of the Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals’ mission to proclaim the Good News. The Academy rewards media professionals for outstanding work that might otherwise not be recognized for its enrichment value.
The Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals is a professional organization of communication professionals supporting the mission and ministry of the Catholic Church in the United States. CACP is sanctioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a U.S. affiliate of SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication, which is also recognized by the Holy See.
Catholic Academy members represent dozens of dioceses and religious organizations in the U.S. Members include communication directors, writers, IT professionals, photographers, filmmakers, performers, video and audio producers, and various other artisans, technicians and executives.
.