The Catholic Media Association held its 59th Annual Gabriel Awards, a premier program on June 26 that honored excellence in film, broadcast and digital-media productions released in North America. The Gabriel Awards have been a beacon of inspiration since their inception in 1965, encouraging media professionals to create works that serve, enrich, challenge and uplift audiences.
Winners were announced during the celebration at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel in Phoenix, Ariz., as part of the Catholic Media Conference.
This year marked the debut of the Voice of Gabriel Award that celebrates professionals in film, broadcast or digital media whose work exemplifies leadership that fosters community and understanding; creative excellence that challenges and inspires; a steadfast commitment to dignity, justice and compassion; and media that elevates the human spirit and reflects a true vision of life.
Sean McNamara, a director, writer and producer, was named the first recipient of this award.
He is known for films such as “Soul Surfer,” “Spare Parts,” “The Miracle Season” and “Reagan,” as well as the soon-to-premiere features “Bau, Artist at War” and “Soul on Fire,” all of which bring to life powerful stories of faith, courage and perseverance.
Rob DeFrancesco, executive director of the Catholic Media Association, stated that “Sean McNamara has spent his career telling stories that move hearts, lift spirits and bring light to the human experience. His work consistently reflects the values we hold dear: dignity, courage, compassion and faith. We’re honored to recognize him as the first-ever recipient of the Voice of Gabriel Award, and to celebrate the impact his storytelling has had on audiences.”
“I’m deeply humbled to be honored with the first-ever Voice of Gabriel Award,” commented McNamara. “My work spans all faiths and cultures, so this award is extra-poignant to me, as it recognizes my latest film ‘Bau, Artist at War,’ which chronicles the love story of Holocaust survivors Joseph and Rebecca Bau.”
“Bau, Artist at War,” from Paramount, stars Emile Hirsch and Inbar Lavi and will premiere on Sept. 26. McNamara’s “Soul on Fire,” from Sony AFFIRM, the inspiring biopic of motivational speaker John O’Leary, starring William H. Macy and John Corbett, will debut on Oct. 10.
McNamara’s storytelling legacy spans more than 45 feature films and 500 episodes of television across networks and platforms, including Netflix, Disney Channel, Hulu and CBS. He is a BAFTA winner, a five-time Emmy nominee, and has received accolades from the DGA, Imagen Awards and numerous film festivals.
He co-founded Brookwell McNamara Entertainment in 1998 with producing partner David Brookwell. Now in its 27th year, the company continues to develop acclaimed content for global audiences.
“The Gabriel Awards exist to highlight the kind of storytelling that changes hearts and minds,” said DeFrancesco. “This year’s finalists exemplify that mission in extraordinary ways. We’re also thrilled to introduce the Voice of Gabriel Award and to honor Sean McNamara for a body of work that speaks directly to the values we strive to lift up in the media.”
A full list of this year’s finalists, representing productions released during the 2024 calendar year, showcasing the breadth and depth of talent across the United States and Canada, can be found on the organization’s website.
For more information on the upcoming “Bau, Artist at War,” visit: www.baumovie.com.