Andy Garcia Gets Recognition as Director

The Imagen Awards ceremony, held at the Beverly Hilton on Friday, acknowledged Andy Garcia's struggling efforts as debutant director, by claiming him the director of the year and his first work, 'The Lost City', the movie of the year.

The ceremony, supported by Imagen Foundation, is one of the many meant to acknowledge the contribution of Latinos and Latino culture to showbiz while, at the same time, it aimed at the increase of Hispanic representation in the entertainment industry.

'The Lost City' is a drama that revolves around the story of a very wealthy family in the time of Fidel Castro's rise to power and, by making it, Andy Garcia wanted to pay a tribute to his native Havana. Antonio Banderas was also among the winners of the night, getting the best actor award for his part in 'Take the Lead', where he plays a ballroom dancer who becomes a volunteer teacher.

Other outstanding Latino representatives who received their due honors were:

FILM:

- Best Picture: 'The Lost City'
- Best Actor: Antonio Banderas, 'Take the Lead'
- Best Actress: America Ferrera, 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants'
- Best Director: Andy Garcia, 'The Lost City'
- Best Theatrical Short or Student Film: 'My Backyard was a Mountain', Written and Directed by Adam Schlachter - Best Documentary: 'Viva Baseball'

TELEVISION:

- Best Primetime Series: 'The West Wing'
- Best Actor: Michael Pena, 'Walkout'
- Best Actress: Lisa Vidal, 'Odd Girl Out'
- Best Supporting Actor: Raymond Cruz, 'The Closer'
- Best Supporting Actress: Cote de Pablo, 'NCIS'
- Best Variety Special: 'El Reto Final Nissan'
- Best Children's Programming: 'High School Musical'
- Best Local Informational Programming: 'KCBS-TV News "Villaraigosa Interview"'
- Best National Informational Programming: 'Alcanzando El Exito Escolar'