Press Release
Contact: David Reich/Jeanne Byington
Reich Communications
212-573-6000
christophers@reichcommunications.com Judith Trojan
The Christopher Awards
212-759-4006
j.trojan@christophers.org CHRISTOPHERS TO HONOR OUTSTANDING WORK IN BOOKS, FILM, TV AT DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY AWARDS GALA IN APRIL NEW YORK, February 25, 2009—The 60th annual Christopher Awards ceremony on Thursday evening, April 16, will celebrate feature films, books for children and adults, and broadcast and cable TV programs and their creators, adding to the list of 1,336 authors, illustrators, screenwriters, producers and directors honored to date. “The Christophers recognize media that remind audiences and readers of all ages and faiths, and of no particular faith, of their power to make a difference in their communities and the world-at-large,” said Judith Trojan, director of the Awards, which will be presented at a gala at the McGraw-Hill Building in New York City. “There has been a lot of fine work to choose from this past year,” added Trojan. “In the Books for Young People category alone, more than 500 books were submitted for consideration, an increase of 15 percent over last year.” In addition to recognizing books, films and TV programming, The Christophers also pay special tribute to individuals whose work benefits young people, as well as outstanding examples of leadership and life achievement. 2008 Christopher Life Achievement Award-winner, author/historian David McCullough, was especially proud of his Award, which he now displays in his library. “It gives me the chance to talk about the bedrock values The Christophers stand for and why having my work so honored means worlds to me,” he noted. Along with McCullough, other special Christopher Award-winning literary and media icons have included Dave Brubeck, Eli Wiesel, Mary Higgins Clark, Carroll O’Connor, Dr. Robert Coles, master puppeteer Caroll “Big Bird” Spinney, dance educator Jacques d’Amboise, and Children’s Television Workshop creator Joan Ganz Cooney, as well as such landmark programming as “Masterpiece Theatre,” “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” “American Masters,” “Face the Nation,” and NBC’s “The More You Know” public service spots. The Christophers, a nonprofit organization founded in 1945 by Maryknoll priest Father James Keller, is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of service to God and humanity. The ancient Chinese proverb—“It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness”— guides its publishing, radio and awards programs. Visit www.christophers.org to learn more about The Christophers. ###
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