‘Made in NY’ honors entertainment & media industries’ best
By Elton Lugay
The big white tent was all set, and among the first to arrive was the “America’s Got Talent” judge Heidi Klum.
It was pouring hard but no one seemed to mind as they walked with grace and smiles toward the Red Carpet positioned to the rear porch of the Gracie Mansion. For the 8th Annual Made in NY Awards, the show must go on.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Media & Entertainment Commissioner Katherine Oliver presented the awards honoring individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the city’s entertainment and digital media industries.
The honorees, all New York legends, are led by Emmy Awards-winning journalist Barbara Walters. They include:
• Tony and Olivier Award-winning actor Alan Cumming
• “Project Runway” host and executive producer Heidi Klum
• Oscar-nominated director Spike Lee
• Tony Award-winning singer and actress Audra McDonald President of HBO Documentary Films Sheila Nevins
• NYC-based blogging platform and social networking website Tumblr
• Harvey and Bob Weinstein, founders of The Weinstein Company and Miramax Films
Walters, who has announced she will retire in the summer, is this year’s Lifetime Achievement awardee.
“The extraordinary achievements of our ‘Made in NY’ Award honorees are a testament to the leadership position our city holds in the entertainment and media industries,” said Bloomberg. “New York City can lay claim to many of the most talented people on the planet, and we’re honoring some of the best of them.”
Bloomberg said entertainment is a thriving industry in the city generating $80 billion each year and providing jobs to more than 275,000 people.
The Mayor’s Office stressed the importance of film production alone to the city’s economy. A press statement said the city is able to collect about $400 million in tax revenue from the hundreds of films and television shows produced throughout the five boroughs. The industry, according to the statement, also employs more than 130,000 New Yorkers who work behind the scenes on films and TV shows.
Oliver said ‘Made in NY’ recognizes the people and organizations that make the city the “vibrant, creative metropolis that it is.”
“The honorees illustrate the remarkable opportunities that come from working in New York City,” she added
The Filam spotted a Filipino American in the crowd. Filmmaker Sibyl Raymundo-Santiago, who is the executive director of the Soho International Film Festival, said she hopes Made in NY will continue even after Bloomberg is no longer mayor.“’Made in NY’ has given opportunities for the creative industry to really grow,” she told The FilAm. “We will definitely miss Michael Bloomberg as this is his last year presenting this award as mayor. The city under his administration has provided much needed support to our industry.”
She added that Bloomberg is a big supporter of SIFF, a festival for professional and amateur filmmakers.
The awards featured a special appearance from “Kinky Boots,” which won the best musical award at the Tony Awards.