Catholic Media Association Announces Finalists for 59th Annual Gabriel Awards

Acclaimed filmmaker Sean McNamara to receive inaugural Voice of Gabriel Award

CHICAGO, Illinois (April 22, 2025) — The Catholic Media Association announced today the finalists for the 59th Annual Gabriel Awards, a premier program honoring excellence in film, broadcast and digital media productions released in the United States and Canada.

The Gabriel Awards have been a beacon of inspiration since their inception in 1965, encouraging media professionals to create works that serve, enrich, challenge and uplift audiences. This year’s finalists, representing productions released during the 2024 calendar year, showcase the breadth and depth of talent across the United States and Canada.

Reserve your spot at the 59th Annual Gabriel Awards Reception 

View the 59th Annual Gabriel Awards Finalists

Winners will be revealed during a special evening celebration on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, as part of the Catholic Media Conference.

This year also marks the debut of a new distinction: the Voice of Gabriel Award, honoring a media professional whose career reflects the Gabriel values through an unwavering dedication to storytelling that uplifts and unites.

Sean McNamara, an acclaimed director, writer and producer, will be the first recipient of this prestigious honor. McNamara is known for his emotionally resonant films such as Soul Surfer, Spare Parts, The Miracle Season and Reagan, which bring to life powerful stories of faith, courage, and perseverance.

“Sean McNamara has spent his career telling stories that move hearts, lift spirits, and bring light to the human experience,” said Rob DeFrancesco, Executive Director of the Catholic Media Association. “His work consistently reflects the values we hold dear: dignity, courage, compassion and faith. We’re honored to recognize him as the first-ever recipient of the Voice of Gabriel Award, and to celebrate the impact his storytelling has had on audiences.”

In 2025, McNamara brings two major releases to theaters:

• Soul on Fire (Sony AFFIRM) – the inspiring biopic of John O’Leary, starring William H. Macy and John Corbett, debuting October 10, 2025.
• Bau, Artist at War (Paramount) – a true story of survival and love during the Holocaust, premiering September 26, 2025.

McNamara’s storytelling legacy spans 45+ feature films and over 500 episodes of television across major networks and platforms, including Netflix, Disney Channel, Hulu and CBS. He is a BAFTA winner, five-time Emmy nominee, and has received accolades from the DGA, Imagen Awards, and numerous film festivals.

He co-founded Brookwell McNamara Entertainment in 1998 with producing partner David Brookwell. Now in its 27th year, the company continues to develop acclaimed content for global audiences.

The Voice of Gabriel Award celebrates professionals in film, broadcast or digital media whose work exemplifies:

• Leadership that fosters community and understanding;
• Creative excellence that challenges and inspires;
• A steadfast commitment to dignity, justice, and compassion; and
• Media that elevates the human spirit and reflects a true vision of life.

“The Gabriel Awards exist to highlight the kind of storytelling that changes hearts and minds,” said DeFrancesco. “This year’s finalists exemplify that mission in extraordinary ways. We’re also thrilled to introduce the Voice of Gabriel Award and to honor Sean McNamara for a body of work that speaks directly to the values we strive to lift up in the media.”

A full list of 2025 finalists is available at: https://www.catholicmediaassociation.org/news/59th-annual-gabriel-awards-finalists

About the Catholic Media Association

The Catholic Media Association is dedicated to supporting Catholic media professionals in their mission to share the Good News. Founded in 1911, the CMA connects more than 900 professionals from 364 member organizations across North America. Through professional development, networking and recognition programs like the Gabriel Awards, the CMA champions excellence in faith-based storytelling.

Media Contact:

Rob DeFrancesco
Executive Director
rdefrancesco@catholicmediaassociation.org
(312) 380-6789