Veteran animator Phil Roman will be honored by the Producers Guild of America at the 2nd Annual Celebration of Diversity to be held on October 1, 2003 at The Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. The event, presented in association with DAILY VARIETY and sponsored in part by the Oneida Indian Nation, is a tribute to those producers whose work has broadened the industrys cultural horizons, as well as productions that have stimulated national discussion on significant social issues.
PGA president Kathleen Kennedy said, The reception to last years Celebration of Diversity was one of the most gratifying moments Ive been able to enjoy as president of the PGA. Its truly heartening to recognize the number of people in our industry who arent only willing to recognize the need for diversity, but who also are willing to step up and do something about it.
This years honorees that are being recognized for their diverse producing work are: Roman, Salma Hayek, John Singleton, George Sunga and Christine Walker. Also being honored are the productions, SESAME STREET and DOOR TO DOOR, as well as the Sundance Institutes Native American Initiatives Program.
The 2nd Annual Celebration of Diversity will be produced by George Sunga and directed by Spike Jones, Jr. Dinner Chairs for the event are Joanne Curley-Kerner, Tracey Edmonds and Bruce Kerner. Producing the short films are Cirina Catania and Kathy Landsberg. For tickets and program information call (310) 201-5033.
Roman, who prefers to be called a Mexican-American, was born in Fresno, California, where he picked grapes before coming to Los Angeles to learn animation and started his career on Disneys SLEEPING BEAUTY. The six-time Emmy Award-winner has produced and directed animated series, theatricals and commercials for four decades. His credits include such hits as THE SIMPSONS, KING OF THE HILL, THE CRITIC and TOM AND JERRY: THE MOVIE. The 10 Garfield specials he has produced have all garnered Emmy nominations.
