Latino Actors Honored At 23rd Annual Imagen Awards Featuring John Leguizamo, Edward James Olmos, Lupe Ontiveros, Cesar Millan, Cote De Pablo, Tony Plana, Leonor Varela, Carlos Mencia, Kate De Castillo, Culture Clash, Judy Reyes, Danny Pino, Dania Ramirez,

    Industry's Distinguished Event Returns to Beverly Hilton Hotel with

Record Attendance.



    Foundation's Legacy Awards Bestowed to Tony Plana, Rodrigo Garcia and

Ligiah Villalobos.



    BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Aug. 22 /EMWNews/ -- 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.



    * SEE A COMPLETE LIST OF 2008 IMAGEN FOUNDATION WINNERS ATTACHED*



    23rd ANNUAL IMAGEN AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED AUGUST 21st, 2008:



    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: Eugenio 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"



    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 http://www.imagen.org.



    Note to Editors: Imagen Foundation Interviews and 2008 Awards Ceremony

Images are available upon request. Please contact [email protected]

(310)804-2591 or contact the Imagen Foundation headquarters at (626)

836-6100 for more information.