Saturday September 7th 2019

at the world famous Cafe Istanbul Performance Theater

at The Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117

The biggest event in the Hollywood South social calendar again illustrated why Louisiana and Mississippi is THE place to be for movie production and supporting industries, as The 2019 Hollywood South Awards™ sell-out production went without a hitch.

The event had the audience on its feet with every accolade to the people who serve the industry AND the community-at-large by going further than the extra mile.

And that's how it should be. As Stephen James, Founder and CEO of The NOLA Voice Talent Foundation made clear in his address: "In Hollywood South we SUPPORT EACH OTHER. It isn't a competition; we are here to build each other up and there is no room for those who wish to undermine the efforts of others." Stephen even had the adience chanting "WE ARE HOLLYWOOD SOUTH" to underscore the pride which people in the region have for the movie and related industries.

Stephen's speech dove-tailed nicely with that of Keynote Speaker Diana Boylston, recently re-elected as President of the SAG-AFTRA New Orleans. Diana highlighted the importance of overcoming the setbacks we all face in the industry and how first perceptions can often be misleading.

Heading the 2019 Hollywood South Awards™ winners were Deneen Tyler, who was presented with the Movie Actor Award; and Harry Shearer, who was honored with the 2019 Hollywood South Legends Award and who, disappointingly, was unable to attend the celebrations.

For the first time since the event was launched, in 2013, there were TWO winners of the Hollywood South Advocacy Award. The whole idea of the then NVT Awards was inspired by the tireless work of Susie Labry, the winner of the first top award, then known as the "Best Performer Award" which went to recognize those who had done far more than "going the extra mile" in supporting the Hollywood South Film Industry; and Susie was on hand to present this year's Hollywood South Advocacy Award to Liz Reyes and Wayne Douglas Morgan.

A new Award is added to the roster each year, this year being the Hollywood South Extras Award which went to Paul Eubanks, who received an amazing number of nominations from his actor and background colleagues for his rise not only in achieving SAG-AGTRA status within a year of embarking on his new career but also for his work for a number of charities and philanthropic causes.

Click here for the full list of Hollywood South Awards™ winners