Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Announced as Mendez Award Recipient, To Be Awarded at the 2019 Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown

HAGERSTOWN, Md., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Maryland Governor Larry Hogan will be awarded the Mendez Award at the Maryland International Film Festival in Hagerstown, Maryland on March 29, 2019. Executive Director Tracie Hovey said, "The Mendez Award is awarded to someone who has succeeded in the Television and Film Industry; or has supported film and television, and has given back to the community. Governor Larry Hogan is being recognized for his support of the Arts in Hagerstown and Washington County. He is being recognized for his efforts in supporting the Historic Maryland Theatre expansion, the expansion of the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, and the expansion of the University System of Maryland Hagerstown. He also signed into law the new Maryland Film Incentive Program, which helps independent filmmaking, and provides increased tax incentives for the film industry. Governor Larry Hogan has shown himself to be a humanitarian, and this award recognizes him for all that he does for non-profit organizations. Governor Hogan believes in supporting important causes that help all Marylanders."

"I can't thank the Mendez Family and the Maryland International Film Festival enough for the honor of receiving the Mendez Award," said Governor Hogan. "The arts play a vital role in Maryland, helping to maintain our quality of life and contributing nearly a half billion dollars and more than 16,000 jobs to our economy. The First Lady and I have a deep connection to this community and we remain strongly committed to growing the arts in Maryland."

On Friday March 29th the Red Carpet opening night begins with a special VIP reception at 5:30pm, followed by the opening night celebrations, awards, and introduction of opening night feature El Chicano. The Mendez Award is one of two major awards presented. The Nora Roberts Foundation Award is also to be presented on the festival's opening night. Filmmaker awards will be presented on Sunday night March 31st for Best Feature, Best Short, Best Animation, Best Student, Best Documentary, Best Local Film, and Best Foreign Film.

The first official Mendez Award was named after and was awarded to Antonio "Tony" Mendez, CIA Master of Disguise, Founder of the Spy Museum, and Award-Winning Author and Painter. Other recipients have included:
Joe Carnahan, Film Director and Producer, known as one of the most prolific film-makers in Hollywood, and his ongoing support of MIFF-H as the Creative Director

Nora Roberts, Author and Entrepreneur, known as the world's most famous Romance Writer, best-selling author, and contributor for Washington County's economic development and tourism.
Frederick County Councilmen Billy Shreve, known for his advocacy in supporting film in Maryland, and also for being the driving force behind Classmates4Life (an anti-drug film festival for all school students in Frederick County, beginning a state-wide pilot program). The contest received national recognition for its public awareness campaign.

Kerry Cahill, award-winning actress from AMC's The Walking Dead. Cahill was also a supporting actress in the Oscar nominated film Mudbound (2017). She was also recognized for her work with veterans organizations.
Amir Arison, award-winning actor, from NBC's The Blacklist. Arison was recognized for his ongoing support for Arts nonprofits, and for his work supporting treatment and help for people with mental illness and his passion for helping animal rescue and animal adoption.

The Eighth Annual Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown received more than 400 submissions, and the judges announced that 150 films were selected. Opening night Friday March 29th is taking place at the Historic Maryland Theatre in Downtown Hagerstown. Other venues on Saturday and Sunday March 30th and 31st include the Washington County Free Library, The Grand Piano Ballroom, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, and new this year the University System of Maryland Hagerstown.

For more information about the festival, and to purchase tickets, see: http://www.marylandiff.com. The Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown partners with several local organizations, businesses, and individuals, and major sponsors include the City of Hagerstown, the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Washington County Government (Office of Grant Management), the Nora Roberts Foundation, Washington County Arts Council, Gideon Properties LLC, Ovation PR & Advertising, Delaplaine Foundation, Homewood Suites by HILTON, the Maryland Film Office, Jay Frantz and Tom Riford.
###

SOURCE Maryland International Film Festival