AWARDEES

In all its editions, the IPFF recognizes the trajectory and contributions of key figures in the cultural fabric of puppeteers. As a result of these contributions, the world of puppets and entertainment reaches, more and more, the place of importance that it deserves to have in our society. Committed to look and promote the future and innovation in the world of puppetry, the IPFF is also proud to recognize the work of the following awardees:

2021 - Vincent Anthony

The International Puppet Fringe Festival 2021 is dedicated to Vincent Anthony. He, founder and president of the board, has served as the Center for Puppetry Arts executive director since its inception in 1978. His previous experiences as a puppeteer for Nicolo Marionettes in New York and founder of the Vagabond Marionettes in Atlanta has contributed to the major successes for the Center over the past three decades. Under Anthony’s leadership, the Center has received a record 12 Citations of Excellence from UNIMA-USA, the U.S. division of Union Internationale de la Marionnette, the international organization for the art of puppetry.

Anthony has also received a personal Citation of Excellence from UNIMA-USA; this Citation is puppetry’s most prestigious award. Among other awards, Anthony received the Governor’s Award in the Arts from the state of Georgia in 1982, a Distinguished Service Award from Emory University Theatre (1980), the President’s Award from Puppeteers of America, the national puppetry association (1989), the Lexus Leader of the Arts Award (2001) and the Georgia Arts & Entertainment Legacy Award (GAELA Award) (2007).

Through his tenure in the arts community, he has served on several review panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, Georgia Council for the Arts and Theatre Communications Group and is a past president of Puppeteers of America. He also served on the Steering Committee for the City of Atlanta Community Cultural Plan and has served as a member of the Delta Airlines Global Diversity Alliance since 2007 and member of the White House Disability Group since 2009. In addition, he has served on the Board of Directors of many arts groups including the Arts Festival of Atlanta, the Arts Advisory Board for Region Four of the General Service Administration and the Advisory Council for the Cultural Olympiad of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG).

He has been serving as General Secretary for UNIMA-USA since 1992 and has also served as Executive Committee Member (1996-2004) and Vice President (2000-2004) of UNIMA International, representing puppeteers in over 80 countries.

2018 - José López Alemán

Photo by Owain Astles

The inaugural Puppet Fringe Festival was dedicated to José López Alemán, a Puerto Rican artist and former Puppet Master for Teatro SEA who had worked in the puppetry industry for over 40 years.

Disclaimer: The International Puppet Fringe Festival NYC is a production of The Society of the Educational Arts, TeatroSEA.org, The Moran Group and their collaborators. None of these organizations are associated with The Present Theatre Company, Inc., The New York International Fringe Festival or FringeNYC.
For information about the latter, please visit www.fringenyc.org