63rd Annual Christopher Awards to be Presented on May 24, 2012

NEW YORK, March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- (http://www.myprgenie.com) -- The Christophers announced today that the 63rd annual Christopher Awards ceremony will be held in New York City on Thursday evening, May 24, 2012. The Christopher Awards salute media that remind audiences and readers, young and old, of their inherent potential to make a difference and positively influence our world.

Mary Ellen Robinson, Vice President of The Christophers, says, "Sharing stories from popular culture that reflect the Christopher motto, It's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness, is vital because it can motivate people to do the same in their lives."  

Christopher Awards program manager, Tony Rossi, adds, "There are a great deal of quality books, films and television programs that are engaging, entertaining, and inspiring. We had no problem finding material that gives people a sense of hope in our troubled world, that reflects the power of one person to change people's lives for the better, and that sees God's presence at the heart of these efforts."

To date, more than 1,400 producers, writers, directors, authors and illustrators have won Christopher Awards. Recent winners include "The Blind Side," "The King's Speech," and "Toy Story 3" in the Film category; "John Adams," "A Mother's Courage: Talking Back to Autism," and Ken Burns' "The War" in the TV/Cable category; "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand, "Bonhoeffer" by Eric Metaxas, and "Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza in the Books for Adults category; and "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" by Kate DiCamillo, "Ten Days and Nine Nights: An Adoption Story" by Yumi Heo, and "Brother Jerome and the Angels in the Bakery" by Father Dominic Garramone and Richard Bernal in the Books for Young People category.

The Christophers, a nonprofit organization founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller, is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of service to God and humanity. The ancient Chinese proverb-"It's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness"- guides its publishing, radio, leadership and awards programs.

Visit www.christophers.org to learn more about The Christophers.

Contact: David Reich, [email protected], 212573-6000

SOURCE The Christophers