On Thursday, March 23, Cinema/Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival announced the winners of the 42nd Hugo Awards for Excellence in Television during the Hugos Awards Night at the Park West.

Initiated in 1965, The Hugos celebrate individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the medium. The evening was emceed by Janet Davies and Lou Canellis of ABC-7’s 190 North with awards being presented to talented artists who created internationally acclaimed television commercials and television programs.

During the ceremony, celebrated director James Gartner was honored with a Career Achievement Award. Known for his distinct, humanistic perspective and brilliant visual style, Gartner has often been praised for his ability to richly capture fragments of our collective memory and stands among the most highly regarded commercial directors in the world. His first feature film, Glory Road opened on January 13, 2006, to great acclaim.

Finalists for the television commercial honors were aired on WTTW11’s award-winning program Image Union. Based on an online public vote, the Audience Choice Award was given to Optimus’s “Beware the Trappings of Leisure.” Over 12,000 people voted to determine the award. DDB Chicago was bestowed with the Gold Hugo for Best Commercial for their Anheuser-Busch “Clydesdale American Dream” commercial.

Marshall Curry’s Oscar-nominated documentary Street Fight, took home the Gold Hugo for Best Program. The film follows the 2002 mayoral campaign in Newark, NJ as 32-year-old Cory Booker tried to unseat longtime mayor Sharpe James.

"It was an honor to recognize fantastic television contributors like James Gartner and innovative television commercials and programs," said Michael Kutza, Founder and Artistic Director of Cinema/Chicago. "The night truly celebrated and gathered the brightest and best in television."