International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) Announces Models and Actors of the Year
Los Angeles (PRWEB) January 20, 2016 -- IMTA began 2016 with an amazing modeling and talent industry showcase. It was IMTA's 25th year at the historic Westin Bonaventure. Fashion and commercial agents from around the world were at IMTA to network, scout, interview and most importantly to discover new faces. Talent agents, managers and casting directors were also in attendance to find actors, singers, songwriters and dancers to represent.
The week was outstanding in many ways. Designer Nicole Miller hosted a kick-off VIP reception for the IMTA Directors at her Los Angeles Showroom. New York Film Academy hosted the Director's Welcome Reception at their Los Angeles school location at Universal. Model agency Factor / Chosen hosted the Director's Invitational at their agency location. One of IMTA's former Contestants Duncan Anderson launched Revolution Yes, an outreach program to end bullying. The Make- A-Wish Foundation granted participant Melanie White's wish to compete at IMTA and supported her as she became a role model for those who want to be in the fashion and entertainment industry despite health challenges. At the Contestant Orientation, many IMTA Alumni returned to inspire the current Contestants. Model Embrey said, "It's such a fantastic platform for all of you guys. Acting, singing, dancing, modeling. And to really take this seriously because there's so many different agents from around the world, and there's no other place like it where you can meet every agent from around the world in one place."
Curtis Davis, international fashion show producer, staged a gorgeous Designer Fashion Show with IMTA Contestants turned professional models walking in fashions from Nicole Miller, CC Collection and Nina Athanasiou.
At the IMTA L.A. Dance Party, the band Undecided Future performed and rocked the entire ballroom. Their band member Cole Fredrick (Barbizon Socal) was awarded IMTA Songwriter of the Year. Kayley Stallings (Pro-Model & Talent Mgmt.) performed a great cover of Shut Up and Dance. The Contestants also danced and received their individual competition awards.
At the Scholarship Brunch, up to four hundred thousand dollars in scholarships were awarded! The New York Film Academy awarded more than $100.000 in scholarships. New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships. Debralynn Findon and Patrick Baca gave a pilot season intensive workshop on behalf of Beverly Long Casting. Scholarships were also awarded from Clair Sinnett Actor's Working, Adam Hill /Craft Acting from the Promenade Theatre Conservatory, and Cassiopeia Productions. Moorpark Studios awarded a studio production recording of an IMTA Songwriting Contestant's song.
Callbacks were a major success for the models, actors, singers, songwriters, and dancers who met with the agents, managers, casting directors and industry VIP’s who were interested in representing them. Many new careers were started we are excited to see what the newly discovered stars accomplish in the future.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti kicked off IMTA's Awards Night by complimenting all the talented and beautiful IMTA Contestants and recognizing IMTA's influence on the entertainment industry. Mayor Garcetti said, "We are so honored that you are here and that IMTA continues here in Los Angeles to find the next generation of stars."
IMTA VIP celebrity presenters included Belle Morgan (Diane Dick Legends), Hana Hayes (Models Melange) of the hit Fox show The Grinder, Model Sara Cummings (IMD), Catherine Kresge (Barbizon-Tucson) and many more who were on hand to congratulate this year's winners and award their trophies.
The IMTA L.A. 2016 Winners are:
Child Actor of the Year - Crystal Anne Martin, Seattle Talent, Seattle, WA
Child Model of the Year - Fu Ben Chen, Team China 1, Wanchai, Hong Kong, China
Female Teen Actor - Hannah Robinson, Seattle Talent, Seattle, WA
Female Teen Model - Alissa Sugawara, Neal Hamil Centre, Houston, TX
Male Young Adult Actor of the Year - James Burgess, New Faces Talent Academy, Melbourne, VC Australia
Female Young Adult Actor of the Year - Madi Artz, Starbound Entertainment Group, Toledo, OH
Male Actor of the Year - Nate Alexander, Fogg Management, Denver, CO
Female Actor of the Year - Courtney Pierce, Industry Direct Model & Talent Mgmt., Charleston, SC
Male Pre-Teen Model of the Year - Jordan Bender, Model Act Studios/Creation, Schaumburg, IL
Female Pre-Teen Model of the Year - Yixi Tao, Team China 2, Beijing, China
Female Lifestyle Model of the Year - Megan Johnson, Images Model & Talent Agency, Lexington, KY
(tie) with Jamie Butler, Industry Direct Model & Talent Mgmt.,
Male Commercial Model of the Year - Matthew White, Pro-Model & Talent Mgmt., Akron, OH
Female Commercial Model of the Year - Kimberli McKee, Neal Hamil Centre, Houston, TX
Male Junior Actor of the Year - Ethan Soltanzadeh, Seattle Talent, Seattle, WA
Female Junior Actor of the Year - Mary Tran, MTM International, USA
Male Pre-Teen Actor of the Year - Kody Rogers, Seattle Talent, Seattle, WA
Female Pre-Teen Actor of the Year - Haley Robinson, Seattle Talent, Seattle, WA
Male Junior Model of the Year - Zach Weller, Global Models and Talent, Scottsdale, AZ
Female Junior Model of the Year - Carly Davison, Neal Hamil Centre, Houston, TX
Most Sought Male Talent of the Year - Gavin Warren, Neal Hamil Centre, Houston, TX tied with Jordan Bender, Model Act Studios/Creation, Schaumburg, IL
Most Sought Female Talent of the Year - Haley Robinson, Seattle Talent, Seattle, WA
Most Sought Male Model of the Year - Zach Weller, Global Models and Talent, Scottsdale, AZ
Most Sought Female Model of the Year - Alissa Sugawara, Neal Hamil Centre, Houston, TX
Male Model of the Year - Dylan Bradley, Fogg Management, Denver, CO
Female Model of the Year - Angel Mariano, Fogg Management, Denver, CO
IMTA is the most prestigious Association of Modeling and Talent Training Centers. IMTA produces two Conventions annually where models, actors, singers, songwriters and dancers showcase their potential in front of the largest audience of agents, managers and casting directors ever assembled. Since 1987, IMTA has debuted an extraordinary number of modeling and talent stars who are working in the fashion and entertainment industry.
IMTA is known in the industry for debuting the best new-to-market Talent and Models including Katie Holmes (IMTA 1993 & 1995), Ashton Kutcher (IMTA 1997), Eva Longoria (IMTA 1998), Ashley Greene (IMTA 2004), Aaron Paul (IMTA 1997), Elijah Wood (IMTA 1989), Riley Smith (IMTA 1997), Jessica Biel (IMTA 1994), Josh Duhamel (IMTA 1997), Rachel Boston (IMTA 1994), Cameron Ocasio (IMTA 2008), Fuller House's Elias Harger (IMTA 2014), Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Model Jessica White (IMTA 1999), Graham Rogers (IMTA 2009), Raini Rodriguez (IMTA 2005), Hana Hayes (IMTA 2010), model Christian Hogue (IMTA 2009), Garrett Hedlund (IMTA 2000) and Elite's Heather Isaacson (IMTA 2008). For more IMTA Alumni, please see IMTA.com.
Nancy Mancuso, IMTA - International Modeling & Talent Association, http://www.imta.com, +1 (480) 629-5700, [email protected]
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