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    Columbus Film Community Honored with New Center Original Awards

    Last night was a big night for the film industry across the nation, but locally we also had much to celebrate. At the Annual Awards Gala, held at the Gateway Film Center, the Gateway Film Foundation presented the inaugural Center Original Awards, in celebration of our local film community.

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    “This is something the team has always talked about introducing as part of our annual gala,” said Grace Cole, Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the Gateway Film Center. “This year was the right combination of capacity and support to make it happen.”

    While the Columbus film community has grants, awards, and organizations that recognize films being produced here, the Center Original Awards are the first to focus on the contributions individuals and businesses are making in support of the film industry in Columbus.

    The four awards were conceptualized to recognize organizations and individuals who have noticeably advanced film culture in our community. Columbus has enjoyed a growing film industry due to our creative people, as well as those who support the business, lobbying, and educational aspects.

    “The Center Original Awards are important because we want to recognize the talent that is right here in Columbus,” said John Daugherty, Director of Film Columbus and presenter of the Artist Award. “As the film industry continues to grow it’s important to show the collaborative spirit that is uniquely Columbus.”

    Hope Madden, MaddWolf film writer, critic for CU, and creator of feature film Obstacle Corpse, was the 2023 recipient of the Artist Award. It’s given to an artist whose creativity and talent over the past year advanced and inspired the region’s film community.

    “I am so honored the film center sees me as someone who could have inspired our film community,” said a surprised Madden. “I hope it’s true because the Columbus film community definitely inspired and supported George and me through the filming of our feature, Obstacle Corpse. And so did everybody at Gateway Film Center. They go out of their way to invest in the film community and I’m really humbled that they recognized me.”

    Local artist Tony Simione was asked to create the Center Original award itself.

    “It’s custom-made and designed to resemble an actual 70mm projector lens,” said Cole. “This is the only award like it, and now, every year, the Center Original award winners will receive a custom lens made by a local artist specifically for them.”

    Winners of the 2023 Center Original Awards look through the specially designed award.
    Winners of the 2023 Center Original Awards looking through the specially designed award.
    Left to right: John Umland, Hope Madden, Tyrone Russell, Vernell Bristow.
    Photo by Brock DuPont for Gateway Film Center.

    The Central Original award winners for 2023 are:

    Center Original Service Award – 2023 Winner, John Umland

    Presented to an employee or volunteer who exemplified a professional, proactive, and compassionate demeanor this year and advanced the work of the Foundation in our city.

    Center Original Community Award – 2023 Winner, Vernell Bristow and Tyrone Russell

    The Community Award is awarded to a myGFC member who has gone above and beyond in the pursuit of strengthening our community, and ultimately our mission, this year.

    Center Original Artist Award – 2023 Winner, Hope Madden

    Given to an artist whose creativity and talent advanced and inspired the region’s film community during the past year.

    Center Original Sustainability Award – 2023 Winner, Donna and Larry James 

    Presented to an individual or group which has contributed to the work of the Foundation in ways that ensure film culture grows and flourishes in our city. This award is now known as the Donna and Larry James’ Center Original Sustainability Award, in honor of their influence on our community and continual support of art and artists in Columbus. 

    Feature image: from left to right: Hope Madden, Chris Hamel, Larry James, Vernell Bristow, John Umland, Tyrone Russell. Photo by Brock DuPont for Gateway Film Center.

    For more information and to find out how you can support film and the Gateway Film Center, visit gatewayfilmcenter.org.

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    Anne Evans
    Anne Evanshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-evans/
    Anne Evans is the Co-Founder and Director of Operations for The Metropreneur and Columbus Underground. She regularly contributes feature stories on both sites, as well as Mega Weekend each week. She has started and grown businesses, created experiences, forged community partnerships, and worked to create opportunities for others. She loves meeting new neighbors and those making an impact in our community. Want to connect?
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