At the 41st NAACP Image Award ceremonies in Los Angeles on Friday (Feb. 26) it was announced that the Tisch School’s own Deborah Willis, University Professor and chair of the Department of Photography & Imaging in the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, won for Outstanding Literary Work - Biography/Autobiography for her book Michelle Obama (W.W. Norton).  Willis beat out four others in the category.

In addition, two alumni from the Tisch School were also 2010 Image Award winners.  Geoffrey Fletcher ’99 (MFA, Kanbar, Film) won Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture for Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire.  The film also won awards for Outstanding Motion Picture and Outstanding Independent Motion Picture.    Chandra Wilson ’91 (BFA, Drama) won for Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series for Grey’s Anatomy – Give Peace a Chance.

Established in 1967, the NAACP Image Awards is the nation's premier event to honor outstanding black actors, actresses, writers, producers and directors. Presented annually, the Awards salute the best in entertainment.  There are 36 competitive categories in the fields of motion picture, television, music and literature as well as several honorary awards.