IMAGINE Magazine presented its IMAGINE Industry New Year’s Celebration & “Imaginnaire” Awards Gala in the exquisite “Glass Room” at the Seaport Tuscan Kitchen in Boston. The Gala is held on the second Tuesday of each New Year expressly to celebrate our peers and honor new “Imaginnaires.”
“We host this opportunity to toast our industry and the people who work in it. Often new friends, new ideas, and new collaborations spring from tis festive occasion,” says IMAGINE Publisher Carol Patton.
IMAGINE Magazine covers the Business of Film, Television, and New Media Productions in New England. Previous “Imaginnaires” have been Academy and Emmy Award winners as well as steadfast supporters of the film industry including Casey Sherman, Rex Trailer, Douglas Trumbull, Lisa Strout, Ernest Thompson, Christy Cashman and many more.
This was the Fourteenth Gala where IMAGINE Magazine honored five new honorees: Boston based actor and TV Host Jan Waldman, President of Women in Film and Video of New England (WIFVNE) Alecia Orsini Lebeda, Founder and CEO of ELEMENT Productions Eran Lobel, Massachusetts Representative Tackey Chan who introduced House Bill No. 2419 – an Act to remove the film tax credit expiration date, and filmmaker and Blues legend James Montgomery.
2016 “Imaginnaire,” and noted actress Erica McDermott (THE FIGHTER, BLACK MASS, AMERICAN HUSTLE) served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies gracing the stage with her humor and wit. She was assisted by presenters selected to introduce each new “Imaginnaire.” Presenters included Boston based actor Mary Hronicek, WIFVNE Administrator JoAnn Cox, ELEMENT Productions COO and Executive Producer Kristen Kearns, New York Times Bestselling Author Casey Sherman (The Finest Hour and Boston Strong – both made into major motion pictures) and the Executive Director of Woods Hole Film Festival, Judy Laster.
The citation for the “Imaginnaire” Award is: For Creative Vision, Leadership and Commitment to Excellence. For Distinguished Service Advancing the Business of Film, TV and New Media Production in New England. Recipients are rich in creative ideas and execute brilliantly. They are generous of themselves and their resources in service to our industry and its members.
Patton adds, “We view each recipient as making a significant contribution to our industry in New England. We are so very fortunate to have them in our midst. They inspire us all and help us succeed as an industry! I genuinely extend special thanks to everyone who helped make this event another magical and memorable evening.”