AAFCA to Present Dan Cathy with 'Film Advocate' Award
CHICK-FIL-A CEO DAN CATHY TO RECEIVE FILM ADVOCATE AWARD FROM THE AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION, FEB. 28 AT
ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER
Business and Community Leader to Be Recognized for His Contributions to Georgia's Booming Film/TV Industries
The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) is pleased to announce Dan T. Cathy as the recipient of the 2017 AAFCA Film Adovate Award. Given to a corporate entity or individual who promotes the growth and well-being of the cinematic arts, AAFCA has selected Mr. Cathy for the pivotal role he and his family foundation, WinShape, have played in the growth and nurturing of Georgia's burgeoning film and TV production community.
As chairman and chief executive officer of his family's multi-billion dollar fast food empire, Chick-fil-A, Mr. Cathy is one of the state's most respected businessmen. Because of that stature, Cathy was able to play a pivotal role in attracting and establishing Pinewood Atlanta Studios in 2013. An important entity within the global film business, Pinewood, best known for its iconic James Bond franchise, has been essential in expanding Atlanta's film imprint internationally. And that has come largely through the Pinewood partnership with Disney that has resulted in several Marvel properties filming in the Atlanta area.
Mr. Cathy's role in the expansion of the film industry in Georgia is a personal one. "We're experiencing incredible growth in Georgia's film and entertainment industry. It's an opportunity to share creative stories to global audiences," he says. "Pinewood Atlanta Studios is the largest studio complex in the United States outside of Hollywood," he adds proudly referring to the 700-acre full-service studio just south of Atlanta. "We'll continue to celebrate all that Georgia has to offer and sharing it throughout the world."
"We are delighted to recognize Mr. Cathy's contribution to the amplification of the Atlanta film industry and the business at large," AAFCA co-founder/president Gil Robertson says. "Because of Pinewood, Captain America: Civil War, Guardians of the Galaxy andSpiderman have filmed here. And the highly- anticipated movie Black Panther, starring Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o and more with Ryan Coogler directing, is currently filming. None of this would be possible without Mr. Cathy's vision and leadership. These films have not only brought much-needed jobs to the area but have also served as an industry-wide blueprint on how diversity in front of and behind the camera benefits us all."
This Special Achievement installment of the 8th Annual AAFCA Awards honoring Mr. Cathy will be held February 28 at the Swan Coach House at the Atlanta History Center from 11:20 am to 1 pm before an invitation-only audience.
For more information, please contact Jeaunine Askew @ 323-878-2399.
ABOUT AAFCA
The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) actively reviews cinema at-large, with a particular emphasis on films which include the Black experience. The organization creates a platform for movies with universal appeal to the African-American community, while highlighting films produced, written, directed and starring, persons from the African Diaspora. Our members are also involved in our advocacy work that includes programming for students interested in film criticism and journalism.
AAFCA members are a geographically diverse cross-section of journalists, covering all genres of the cinematic arts, while representing multiple mediums - including print, TV, radio broadcast and online. Collectively, they have reached a worldwide audience in excess of 100 million
