59th Annual Gabriel Awards

The Catholic Media Association is pleased to announce  the winners for the prestigious 59th Annual Gabriel Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in film, broadcast and digital media. The Gabriel Awards spotlight artistic excellence that embodies a profound vision of humanity and a true vision of life, with productions from the 2024 calendar year now in the spotlight.

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.

The winners were revealed at the 59th Annual Gabriel Awards Reception, June 26, 2025 at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. Sr. Nancy Usselmann, Pauline Center for Media Studies, and Andrea Boring, Carmel Communications, presented the awards.

The event, taking place the week of the Catholic Media Conference, was a memorable evening, honoring film director Sean McNamara with the inaugural Voice of Gabriel award.

Questions?

Questions about the awards, or need a correction or duplicate awards certificates? The CMA Office will provide these free of charge through Aug. 31. Please e-mail the Awards team: awards@catholicmediaassociation.org

G105: Feature Film

First Place

Hard Miles

Pensé Productions

Christian Sander, Producer and Co-Writer; RJ Daniel Hanna, Director and Co-Writer; Scott Sander, Executive Producer

Runner Up

Grace by Night

BMG-Global

Nathan and Meghan Leon, Producers; Nathan Leon Director and Writer; Antonio Sabato Jr., Cameron Arnett, and Emma Elle Roberts, Key Cast

Runner Up

Irena’s Vow

Quiver Distribution 

Louise Archambault, Director; Dan Gordan, Writer; Berry Meyerowitz, Jeff Sackman, Nicholas Tabarrok, Beata Pisula and Tim Riguette, Producers

G107: Documentary Feature Film

First Place

Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist

Spirit Filled Hearts with Wahl Street Productions and Castletown Media

Deacon Steve Greco, Executive Producer; James M. Wahlberg, Producer; Tim Moriarty, Director and Writer; Marc Boudignon, Editor

Runner Up

Guadalupe: Mother of Humanity

Goya Productions 

Andrés Garrigó and Pablo Moreno, Directors; Josemaría Muñoz, Producer; Chechu García and José Luis Martínez, Editors; Pepe Alonso, Andrés Garrigó, Josepmaria Anglès, Javier Ramírez, Josemaría Muñoz, Writers; Ismael Durán, Rubén D. Ortega, Photographers; Daniel Fdez., AEC Postproduction; Jorge Sánchez, Sound; Karyme Lozano, Angélica Chong, Mario Alberto Hernández, Pepe Vázquez, Emilio Linder, Pedro Hernández, Alejandro Márquez, Cast Members

Runner Up

VIKTOR-IA

Voice of America 

Jorge Agobian and Celia Mendoza, Producers and Directors; Daniel Ramírez, Film Editor

G108: Documentary Short

First Place

The House of the Lord

Uriel Media 

Fr. Mitch Pacwa, Producer; Seth Farmer, Director; Reagan Wells, Cinematographer; Seth Farmer and Reagan Wells, Editors

Runner Up

Warrior for Christ — The Life of Joe Reali

Knights of Columbus 

Marissa Van Kley, Producer; David Naglieri, Rob Kaczmark, Branden J. Stanley, Seneca Lester, Executive Producers; Marc Boudignon, Editor; Rachael Nielson, Producer; Jason Knade, Director of Photography

Runner Up

Sleigh Ride

Western Dominican Province 

Casey O’Leary, Director and Producer; Sr. John Dominic Rasmussen, O.P., and Christopher Z. Hanzeli, Executive Producers; Benjamin Bratton, Director of Photography; Lee Klein, Editor

G201: Single News Story

First Place

Gospel-Focused Racial Reconciliation in the Deep South

NPR

Debbie Elliott, National Correspondent; Russell Lewis, Deputy National Editor

Runner Up

Relative and Friend of Emmett Till Reflects on Why His Story is Important Now More Than Ever

KMUW 89.1 FM

Carla Eckels

G202: Hosted Profile or Interview

First Place

As It Happens: Hurricane Helene Evictions

Canadian Broadcast Corporation 

Leïla Ahouman, Nil Köksal, Chloe Shantz-Hilkes, and Austin Webb

Runner Up

Inside the Vatican: Former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Mary Ann Glendon Reflects on Her Time With Three Popes

Busted Halo 

Father Dave Dwyer, Host; Brett Siddell, Co-Host; Krista LePard, Producer and On Air Personality

G203: Best Radio Program

First Place

The Spirit World — Praying for the Dead

Guadalupe Radio Network 

Debbie Georgianni, Adam Blai, Tim Motte and Carol Herrera

Runner Up

The Busted Halo Show with Father Dave Dwyer

Busted Halo 

Father Dave Dwyer, Host; Brett Siddell, Co-Host; Krista LePard, Producer and On Air Personality

Runner Up

Betrayal of Faith: The Story of Pastedechouan

CBC Radio 

Emma Anderson, Presenter; Kevin Burns, Producer; Greg Kelly, Executive Producer

G401: Single News Story

First Place

Priority Purple: Overdose in Progress

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 

Omar Dabaghi-Pacheco and Ryan Garland, Writers; Ryan Garland and Omar Dabaghi-Pacheco, Producers; Omar Dabaghi-Pacheco, Host; Ryan Garland, Editor and Videographer; Drake Fenton, Managing Editor; Jamie Hopkins, Design and Animation

Runner Up

Venerable Pierre Toussaint

Catholic Faith Network 

Jackie Lucas, Senior Producer; Denise Giammarino, Senior Executive Producer; Mitchel Brown, Shooter and Editor

Runner Up

Combination Heartbeat

WZTV Fox17 News Nashville 

Ryan Brooker and Jill Jelnick

G402: Special Event Coverage

First Place

Feast Day Recap Video

Spirit Juice Studios 

Rob Kaczmark, Seneca Lester and Branden J. Stanley, Executive Producers; Kevin Moon, Producer; Chris Weingart, Director; Marissa Metoyer, Editor

Runner Up

Someone’s Son: Repatriating Newfoundland’s Unknown Soldier

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 

Heather Gillis, Writer and Producer; Ted Dillon and Chelsea Jacobs, Video Producers 

G403: Streaming Scripted Series

First Place

A Great Symphony of Prayer

Josephine Lombardi

CCCB ad hoc Committee for the Preparation of the Jubilee under the leadership of the Most Rev. Guy Desrochers, Archbishop of Moncton; Josephine Lombardi, Creator of Video Content and Presenter of Content; Marg Shea-Lawrence, Secretary and Director of the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis; Brandan Tran, Office for Evangelization and Catechesis; Jim Roberts, Office for Evangelization and Catechesis

G404: Documentary Series

First Place

Warriors for Lourdes: Kim Crosby Story

Knights of Columbus 

Rob Kaczmark, Seneca Lester, Branden J. Stanley, David Naglieri, Executive Producers; Carley Kormanis and Cody Hilliard, Directors; Alexandra Bartman; Editor; Lucas Hibdon, Editor and Sound Design

Runner Up

Becoming bell hooks

KET - The Kentucky Network 

Sarah Moyer, Producer; Elon Justice, Producer; Shae Hopkins, Executive Producer; Nancy Southgate, Executive Producer

G501: Single News Story

First Place

Café contrata meseros con Síndrome de Down para dar ejemplo de inclusión

Voice of America 

Claudia Cano, Reporter

Runner Up

Buenas Noticias by Estrella Noticias

Estrella TV

Juan Carlos Osorio, Producer, Writer, Editor and On-camera Journalist

Runner Up

World Refugee Day Chicago

Estrella TV

Juan Carlos Osorio, Producer, Writer, Editor and On-camera Journalist

G601a: Best Audio Podcast — Single Episode English

First Place

The Saints: Josephine Bakhita

The Merry Beggars

Peter Atkinson, Executive Producer; Kevin Collins, Creative Producer; Kevin Conroy, Sound Design; Jacob Groth, Writer; Joseph Marsh, Associate Producer; Judy Zocchi, Script Producer; Ariel Gade, Casting Director

Runner Up

Hope Stories: Bishop Conley Episode

Our Sunday Visitor 

Sr. Josephine Garrett, Host; Justin Dery (Dery Music Media), Producer and Sound Engineer; Justin Dery, Editor; Jessica Aleman, Executive Producer

G602a: Best Podcast Series — English

First Place

Firebreaker

Coronation Media 

Jim Morlino, Director; Gary Gasse and Bill Phillips, Executive Producers; Gary Gasse, Jim Morlino, Dominic Morlino, Story Writers

Runner Up

Daily Reflections with Jeff Cavins

Hallow 

Jeff Cavins, Writer; Jonathan Roumie, Narrator; Mark Sutor, Lead Audio Engineer; Chris Beno, Editor

G603a: Best Podcast — English

First Place

The Saints: Adventures in Faith and Courage

The Merry Beggars 

Peter Atkinson, Executive Producer; Kevin Collins, Creative Producer; Kevin Conroy, Sound Design; Kiley Lawrence, Script Producers, Joseph Marsh, Associate Producer; Judy Zocchi and Kiley Lawrence, Script Producers; Ariel Gade, Casting Director

Runner Up

Faith Full Catholic Podcast

Cherry Mountain Media 

Tony Ganzer

Runner Up

Like a Mother

Our Sunday Visitor 

Katie McGrady, Show Host; Justin Dery (Dery Music Media), Producer and Sound Engineer; Justin Dery, Editor; Jessica Aleman, Executive Producers

G604a: Best Video for Digital Media — English

First Place

Dare to Believe Series: Episode 1

Backflip

Fr. Matthew Pearson, Producer; Ryan Freng and John Shoemaker, Co-Directors; Maximillian Olmsted, Editor

Runner Up

Diocese of St. Cloud Annual Appeal Video

Hundredfold Video 

Katie Rutter, Executive Producer, Director and Editor; Anna Kampa, Project Manager, Director of Stewardship and Development; Joe Towalski, Producer, Chancellor; Rob Gooding and Andrew Brinkmann, Cinematographers

G604b: Best Video for Digital Media — Spanish

First Place

Dreams Crossing the Darién: In the Footsteps of Migrants in the Jungle

Voice of America 

Rafael Hernández, Director and Editor; Oscar Sulbarán and Jorge Calle, Field Producers

Runner Up

The Fighting Cooks

Voice of America 

Arturo Martinez and Beth Mendelson, Commissioning Editors; Nacho Narumbe, Producer; Marsha James, Story Editor; Euna Lee, Executive Producer