Genesis Awards

For 22 years, the Genesis Awards has paid tribute to the major news and entertainment media for producing outstanding works which raise public understanding of animal issues. This annual awards show takes place every March in Beverly Hills, California. The 22nd Genesis Awards will take place on March 29, 2008 in the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton.

Beginnings

In 1986, the Genesis Awards event was launched by animal advocate and actress Gretchen Wyler, under the aegis of The Fund For Animals. Wyler came up with the idea because she strongly believed that rewarding members of the media encouraged them to spotlight more animal issues, thus increasing public awareness and compassion toward animals. The first annual event, a luncheon drawing only 140 attendees, quickly grew into a large gala averaging 800 guests.

In 1991, Wyler founded The Ark Trust, Inc., which continued to present the Genesis Awards. In 1990, it became a television special airing first on the Discovery Channel and then on Animal Planet. In August 2002, The Ark Trust joined forces with The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), changing its name to The Hollywood Office of The HSUS. Wyler, as Vice President of The Hollywood Office of The HSUS, continued her role as Chairperson of the event and Executive Producer of the Genesis Awards television special until her retirement in 2006.

Winner Selection

Beginning with the first ceremony in 1986, Genesis Awards entries have been submitted by the public as well as by media professionals. Categories span television, film, print, radio, music, and the arts. The Genesis Awards Committee - via a process of submission, nomination, candidate selection, debate, and secret ballot - makes all final decisions regarding the winners. The 17 committee members have been selected because of their personal histories in working for the animals, averaging more than 15 years "in the trenches." The members include people from various animal-protection organizations and diverse walks of life, who all share a demonstrated commitment to animals.

Award Ceremony

Produced by The Hollywood Office of the Humane Society of the United States, the annual Genesis Awards is the only event of its kind honoring the entertainment industry and news media for raising awareness of animal-protection issues. Celebrating the power of the news and entertainment media to shape and change societal attitudes for the good, Genesis Awards acknowledge outstanding works in TV, film, print and the arts.

Presented at a star-studded ceremony, attracting leaders from the entertainment, news, and humane communities, Genesis Awards are bestowed by an impressive array of celebrity presenters who have included: Sean Astin, Christian Bale, Pierce Brosnan, James Cromwell, Ellen DeGeneres, Emily Deschanel, Daryl Hannah, Bill Maher, Wendie Malick, Melissa Rivers, Doris Roberts, Isabella Rossellini, Martin Sheen, Nicollette Sheridan, Alicia Silverstone, Amy Smart, and William Shatner. Drawing an audience of nearly 1,000 people, the Genesis Awards is taped for broadcast.

The Genesis Awards event was founded in 1986 by the late Broadway actress and animal advocate Gretchen Wyler. Over the Years, such luminaries as Peter Gabriel, Jane Goodall, Peter Jennings, David E. Kelley, Sir Paul McCartney, Arthur Miller and Prince have joined journalists, writers and producers from the film and documentary worlds, together with the nation’s leading print and broadcast news outlets, in being honored for spotlight animal issues.

Past Genesis Award Winners

1986 Genesis Awards
1987 Genesis Awards
1988 Genesis Awards
1990 Genesis Awards
1991 Genesis Awards
1992 Genesis Awards

*Countdown to Extinction - Megadeth - Music album1993 Genesis Awards
1994 Genesis Awards
1995 Genesis Awards
1996 Genesis Awards
1997 Genesis Awards

*"Millennium"; "Broken World" - Outstanding Communication of Animal-Rights in Dramatic Television Series1998 Genesis Awards
1999 Genesis Awards
2000 Genesis Awards

*Best PBS Documentary: Nature, "A Conversation with Koko"
2001 Genesis Awards Winners
2002 Genesis Awards

2003 Genesis Awards Winners

2004 Genesis Awards Winners
2005 Genesis Awards

*Best Friend Forgotten - Best National PBS Documentary - Julie Lofton (Writer/Director/Producer)
*The Corporation - Best Feature Documentary
* - Best Local PBS Documentary - Sierra Cleveland (Writer/Producer)
*ABC's World News Tonight -
*Honoree - Detroit Zoo - Dr. Ron Kagan
*Genesis Student Award - Michael Croland2006 Genesis Awards

2007 Genesis Awards Winners

External links

* [http://www.humanesociety.org/genesis Genesis Awards]
* [http://www.humanesociety.org/hollywood The Hollywood Office of the HSUS]
* [http://www.humanesociety.org The Humane Society of the United States]