Contest: Gabriel Award

In 1965, a group of Catholic communication professionals wanted to do something that would honor excellence in media that entertains while presenting a true vision of humanity. That effort resulted in the Gabriel Awards and today, more than five decades later, it is considered the premier awards program for media that enriches the spirit.

 Over the years, Gabriel Award winners have established themselves as a touchstone of excellence in film, network, cable television and radio, internet and social media campaigns that truly reflect the beauty of life and the human spirit.

Fittingly, winning entries receive a prominent award: a silver angel, representing Gabriel, raising skyward a globe encircled by electrons to symbolize the communication of God’s word to humanity. It is a salute to all those who strive for values-centered programming.

Taking home a Gabriel Award is no easy task. A winning program must endure the process of preliminary screening and blue-ribbon judging, which includes judging in values, content, creativity, artistic quality, technical quality and impact.

However, the single most important criterion of a Gabriel-winning program is its ability to uplift and nourish the human spirit. It must affirm the dignity of human beings, recognizing and upholding universally recognized human values such as community, creativity, tolerance, justice, compassion and the dedication to excellence.

The deadline for entries in the 2016 Gabriel Awards is Friday, Jan. 22, 2016. To be eligible, a program must have been released via broadcast, internet or a theatrical release between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2015.

Entry details and form can be found at www.GabrielAwards.com. The entry fee is $175 for all categories, which include religious, ecumenical or interreligious, arts and entertainment, news and informational, and children’s program. Some categories are also broken down according to national or local distribution. 

The Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals is a professional organization of communication professionals supporting the mission and ministry of the Catholic Church in the many ministries, offices, dioceses, archdioceses, religious orders and organizations serving the Catholic Church.