SMPTE®, the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, today disclosed the list of industry leaders and innovators who will be honored at this year's SMPTE Awards Gala.
"This year's honorees have done so much, in so many ways, to help our industry evolve and grow," said Hans Hoffmann, SMPTE president. "Their achievements include remarkable technical advances from image capture to display, creative solutions for increasing representation across the industry, leadership in research and education, innovation in delivering moving images to consumers around the world, and critical work in standards development. We're proud to highlight and honor their work at this year's SMPTE virtual Awards Gala."Honorary Membership, the Society's highest accolade, recognizes individuals who have performed distinguished service in the advancement of engineering in motion pictures, television, or the allied arts and sciences. This year, SMPTE will bestow three such honors. The Society will confer Honorary Membership uponChristopher J. CooksonandPeter Jackson, and will posthumously recognize the addition ofDavid Sarnoffto the SMPTE Honor Roll.
TheProgress Medalis the most prestigious SMPTE award, and it recognizes outstanding technical contributions to the progress of the engineering phases of the motion-picture, television, or motion-imaging industries. SMPTE will present the 2021 Progress Medal to two recipients:Wendy AylsworthandGirish Balakrishnan.
TheCamera Origination and Imaging Medalrecognizes significant technical achievements related to inventions or advances in imaging technology, including sensors, imaging processing electronics, and the overall embodiment and application of image-capture devices. This year, the Society posthumously recognizesRobert A. Dischert(1929-1991).
TheDavid Sarnoff Medal, sponsored by SRI International, recognizes outstanding contributions to the development of new techniques or equipment that have improved the engineering phases of television technology, including large-venue presentations. The award will be presented toYoungkwon Lim.
TheExcellence in Education Medal, sponsored by William C. Miller and Ellen Sontag-Miller, recognizes outstanding contributions to new or unique educational programs that teach the technologies of motion pictures, television, or other imaging sciences, including emerging media technology.Huw Daviesis being recognized this year.
TheDigital Processing Medalrecognizes significant technical achievements related to the development of digital processing of content for cinema, television, games, or other related media.Nick Wellswill receive the award.
TheJames A. Lindner Archival Technology Medal, sponsored by James A. Lindner, recognizes significant technical advancements or contributions related to the invention or development of technology, techniques, workflows, or infrastructure for the long-term storage, archive, or preservation of media content essence. The 2021 award will be presented toLinda Tadic.
TheWorkflow Systems Medal, sponsored by Leon D. Silverman, recognizes outstanding contributions related to the development and integration of workflows, such as integrated processes, end-to-end systems, or industry ecosystem innovations that enhance creativity, collaboration, and efficiency, or novel approaches to the production, postproduction, or distribution process. The award will be presented toMoxion.
TheNatalie M. and Herbert T. Kalmus Medalrecognizes outstanding contributions that reflect a commitment to the highest standards of quality and innovation in motion-picture production, postproduction, and distribution services. This year's medal will be awarded toHarald Brendel.
TheJournal Awardis presented to the authors of the most outstanding paper originally published in the SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal during the preceding calendar year. This year's award will be presented toAnustup Choudhury,Jaclyn Pytlarz, andScott Daly.
TheJournal Certificate of Meritwill be presented toMichael D. Smith,Michael Zink, andAansh Malik.
ThePresidential Proclamationrecognizes individuals of established and outstanding status and reputation in the motion-picture, television, and motion-imaging industries worldwide. Five individuals are being recognized this year:Ava DuVernay,Anne Jacobsen,Franklin Leonard,Kohji Mitani, andJayshree Ullal.
TheExcellence in Standards Awardrecognizes individuals or companies that have been actively involved in advancing the Society's standards, activities, and processes.Pierre-Anthony Lemieuxis being honored.
This year, three standards participants will be appreciated, includingHideki Ohtaka,Thomas Heritage, andJohn Mailhot.
TheCitation for Outstanding Service to the Society, which recognizes individuals for dedicated service for the betterment of the Society over a sustained period, will be conferred upon three SMPTE Members:Tony Meerakker,François Bourdua, andDaniel Guévin.
TheStudent Paper Awardrecognizes the outstanding paper prepared and submitted by a Student Member. The 2021 award will be presented toAaron DeMolder.
TheLouis F. Wolf Jr. Memorial Scholarshipis designed to assist students in furthering their undergraduate or graduate studies in motion pictures and television, with an emphasis on technology. The 2021 scholarship will be awarded to SMPTE Student MemberMonica Brighton.
Seventeen newSMPTE Fellowswill also be recognized this year. This honor is conferred on individuals who have, through their proficiency and contributions to the motion-picture, television, or related industries, attained an outstanding rank among engineers or executives in media and entertainment. The new SMPTE Fellows are:
Robert Brunelle
Dean C. Bulloc
Tim Carroll
Andrew Cotton
Richard Lindsay-Davies
Dagmar Driesnack
Joseph Goldstone
Sally Hattori
George H. Joblove
Wicky Man Hoi Law
Luann Linnebur
Jaclyn Pytlarz
David Reisner
David Ross
Yoshiaki Shishikui
Richard Welsh
William Werner
Further details about SMPTE Fellows and citations for all 2021 honorees are posted atsmpte.org/about/awards-programs. More information about SMPTE is available atsmpte.org.
# # #
About SMPTE®
SMPTE is the global society of media professionals, technologists, and engineers working in the digital entertainment industry. The Society fosters a diverse and engaged membership from both the technology and creative communities, delivering vast educational offerings, technical conferences, and exhibitions, the SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal, and access to a rich network of colleagues essential to their career success. As an internationally recognized standards organization, SMPTE also provides a vital technical framework of engineering standards and guidelines that allow the seamless creation, management, and delivery of media for art, entertainment, and education worldwide.
