The television series “Bones,” the miniseries “The Bible” and motion picture “Flight” are the recipients of annual awards presented by Catholics in Media Associates (CIMA), which this year marks its 20th anniversary. The April 14 celebration at the Bel-Air Bay Club will start with an open-air Mass at 10 a.m., followed by the awards ceremony and buffet. Event executive producers are Nancy Norton Bevins and John Kelly, CIMA’s president and vice-president.The 2013 CIMA Board of Directors award will be presented to the History Channel miniseries, “The Bible,” whose lead executive producers are husband and wife Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, who created the series “to honor God with the hope to bring millions of people closer to His Word.” “Roma Downey and Mark Burnett have created a masterpiece of epic proportions by bringing us stories and people from the Bible, the Word of God, to millions of people in their homes,” said Daughter of St. Paul Sister Rose Pacatte, film reviewer for the National Catholic Reporter and CIMA member for the last 10 years. “It is beautifully produced and it is no easy task to tell this story of God’s revelation, presence, love, and involvement in humanity in ways that are faithful, relevant to anyone watching, and accessible. “We decided to award ‘The Bible’ before it premiered on the History Channel and we are so pleased with the audience response,” said Sister Pacatte, director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Culver City.“Flight,” which earned Academy Award nominations for best actor (Denzel Washington) and best original screenplay (John Gatins), will receive the CIMA Motion Picture award for its portrayal of a functioning alcoholic that “gives hope to anyone who struggles with pride and addiction.”“‘Flight’ is a story of a man’s journey to redemption that’s fraught with many of the stumbling blocks that we face today, drug addiction, alcoholism, illicit sex, and risky behavior that endangers lives,” noted Sister Pacatte. “When the plane crashes and burns, it is a wake-up call like no other, one filled with grace from the moment of impact until he, Whit Whitaker [Denzel Washington], admits the truth, for this is what it takes for his life to take wing and soar to the dawn of a new beginning to freedom. This movie is a complete analogy for the courage it takes to begin the spiritual journey.”The Fox television series “Bones” will receive the CIMA TV award. Inspired by the crime novels written by real-life forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs, the series follows Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel) as she works with FBI special agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) and her forensic team to solve mysteries surrounding human remains.CIMA chose “Bones” because of its continued exploration of faith, Sister Pacatte said, “especially in the conversations between Bones, who represents science and reason, and Booth, the believer.”“An important ongoing dynamic between Brennan and Booth is their disagreement about the roles of science and faith,” said CIMA’s statement. “Where Brennan focuses on the physical evidence, Booth, a practicing Roman Catholic, looks for clues in human behavior and beliefs.”“It is almost as if the producers have this Gospel quote in mind from Matthew 18:20, ‘For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them,’” said Sister Pacatte.“Yes, these characters are flawed,” she added, “but as they deal weekly with the reality of death and the sinful consequences of fallen humanity, their search is alive and their journey ongoing.”For 2013 CIMA Award tickets and for more information, visit www.catholicsinmedia.org, or call (818) 907-2734.{gallery width=100 height=100}gallery/2013/0405/cima/{/gallery}
