Close to a thousand Hollywood publicity and marketing executives, producers, studio and network executives, celebrities, and press gathered for the International Cinematographers Guild (IATSE Local 600) 50th Annual Publicists Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel today.
Kirk Douglas received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Ron Meyer, president and COO of Universal Studios. In a surprise appearance Robert Downey Jr. presented the Motion Picture Showmanship Award to Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, while the Television Showmanship Award went to the co-presidents of USA Network, Chris McCumber and Jeff Wachtel, presented to them by Matt Bomer, who’s the star of USA’s White Collar, and Piper Perabo, star of the network’s Covert Affairs.
Surprise presenter Sally Field awarded publicist Heidi Schaeffer of PMK/BNC with this year’s Les Mason Award, the highest honor publicists can pay to one of their own.
Corbin Bernsen, star of L.A. Law and USA’s current hit Psych, presented the Press Award to Deadline Hollywood‘s Pete Hammond, while the International Media Award went to James White of the UK. Two 14-year-olds from Kabul, Afghanistan, Fawad Mohammadi and Jawanmard Paiz, stars of the Oscar๏ฟฝ nominated Live Action Short, Buzkashi Boys, made this presentation.
Sharon Black, winner of the award last year, presented the Bob Yeager Award to Linda Weitzler in recognition of her community work. Weitzler belongs to the Volunteer League, which helps clothe needy children; is part of a 22-voice choir that performs at nursing homes; and serves on the board of the Fulfillment Fund helping under privileged kids to go to college; among other nonprofit efforts.
The Maxwell Weinberg Award for Best Publicity Campaign for a Motion Picture went to the publicity team from Warner Bros. for Argo, presented by Chi McBride, one of the stars of CBS’ upcoming series Golden Boy, which will be premiering February 26. McBride also handed the Maxwell Weinberg Television Campaign Award to the publicists for their work on Showtime’s Homeland.
Robert Knepper, one of the stars of new CW midseason series Cult, which premiered February 19, presented the Excellence in Still Photography for Motion Pictures Award to Jaimie Trueblood and the Television Still Photography Award to Suzanne Tenner.
ICG President Steven Poster began the ceremony by highlighting the important contributions publicists make to the industry. He also welcomed IATSE President Matt Loeb who flew in from New York for the occasion.
Theo Von, star of Yahoo!’s Prime Time In No Time, hosted.
Producers Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher To Receive Harold Lloyd Award From The Advanced Imaging Society
Producers Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher will be presented with the 2025 Harold Lloyd Award in recognition of their producing achievement in creating Gladiator II at The Advanced Imaging Societyโs (AIS) 15th annual Lumiere Awards luncheon, which takes place Friday, February 7, 2025, at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Empowering their storytelling with groundbreaking technology and skill, Wick and Fisher have thrilled audiences and driven the film industry forward for three decades. Their steadfast dedication to the highest standards of cinematic excellence have resulted in epic films, including Memoirs of a Geisha, The Great Gatsby, the Stuart Little franchise, the Divergent Series and both Gladiator films. The first Gladiator earned Wick an Academy Awardยฎ for Best Picture. In light of their consistent and distinguished contributions over the years, as exemplified by this yearโs Gladiator II, the Advanced Imaging Society wished to recognize the team with this yearโs esteemed Harold Lloyd Award.
โDoug Wick and Lucy Fisher of Red Wagon Entertainment have revolutionized modern filmmaking with their bold storytelling and ability to elevate large-scale productions to epic levels,โ remarked Jim Chabin, AIS president. โTheir work has not only captivated audiences but also redefined filmmaking standards, leaving an indelible mark on the art of cinema. At AIS. we deeply admire their visionary contributions and enduring influence on the film industry.โ
Suzanne Lloyd, granddaughter of the late, great Harold Lloyd, remarked, โDougโs artistic vision and Lucyโs dynamic leadership have brought authenticity, beauty and profound emotion to some of our favorite epic films. Together, they are a... Read More