International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) Celebrates 25th Anniversary

New York, NY (PRWEB) July 31, 2011

Celebrating 25 years of IMTA Conventions was one of the many highlights of the week. Special recognition was given to the Agents, Managers and Casting Directors who have been at IMTA for the entire 25 years. Karen Lee, Joan Stephens, Arthur Bronfin, Clair Sinnet, Joey Hunter, Michael Flutie, Heinz Holba, Cynthia Kazarian, David Vando and Judy Savage were honored. The IMTA Member Directors who have been part of the IMTA for 25 years were also recognized: Diane Dick, Janie Head, Voloney White, Wendi Davis, on behalf of Margaret OBrien, and Joe Rickie, on behalf of Rose Perez. IMTA also recognized Nancy Mancuso, Chief Operating Officer of IMTA, for more than 25 years of dedicated and inspired leadership of the Association.

For the 25th anniversary of IMTA, aspiring Models and Talent from around the world converged in New York City with the most influential Modeling Agents, Managers, Casting Directors and Scouts for one week at the renowned International Modeling and Talent Association Convention. At IMTA, the Models competed in Runway, Fashion Print, Jeans, Swimwear, TV Beauty Commercials and Makeup Competitions. The Talent competed in Monologues, Entertainment Host, Ready for My Close-Up, Sitcom, Commercial Print, Cold Read and Theatrical Headshots.

Agents from around the world were at IMTA to network with each other, discuss upcoming fashion trends and most importantly to scout for new faces for their agencies. Talent Agents, Managers and Casting Directors were also in attendance to find Actors, Singers and Dancers to represent. IMTA is known in the industry for debuting the best new-to-market Talent and Models including Katie Holmes (IMTA 1993 & 1995), Ashton Kutcher (IMTA 1997), Eva Longoria (IMTA 1998), Ashley Greene (IMTA 2004), Elijah Wood (IMTA 1989), Jessica Biel (IMTA 1994), Josh Duhamel (IMTA 1997), Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Model Jessica White (IMTA 1999), Vogue TV’s Madeline Kragh (IMTA 2007), The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency’s Brian Kehoe (IMTA 2001) and Elite’s Heather Isaacson (IMTA 2008). For more IMTA Alumni, please see IMTA.com.

Tatiana Owens (IMTA 2007), whose music has been featured on MTV and VHI, returned to IMTA to perform her new single with background dancers/models who were current IMTA Contestants. Top models Grayson Gettys, Michael Fulfree and Zhanna (Project Runway) made appearances and presented Awards to the current winners. Michael Fulfree said, I came to IMTA in 2008 and I won Male Model of the Year. I signed with three agencies; Major, Next and Major Milan. Its been a blessing to come here. Wherever you are the agents are around, theyre watching you. Zhanna (IMTA 2004) said, The best thing about IMTA was just the experience and walking down the runway for the first time. It was awesome. IMTA is the best thing that ever happened to me. Grayson Gettys said, Since competing at IMTA in 2009, I have been working in Paris and Milan and am based here in New York with Wilhelmina. Its an amazing opportunity, thats the best way I can say it. It was really exciting being on the runway, all eyes on you. IMTA is an experience like no other. Everything about it is amazing.

IMTA covered the event all week long with live Twitter updates posted in real time. See IMTA’s coverage on the Official IMTA Twitter Feed. IMTA’s Official Blog also had frequent updates and Convention highlights during the week. At the IMTA Callback Day, the Agents and Managers had one-on-one meetings with the models and actors they had spotted during the week and discussed the possibilities of a career in the industry. Many contracts were signed and hundreds of careers were launched.

The IMTA Awards Night on Friday, July 22nd saw the announcement of the Models and Talent of the Year. This prize is awarded to the Contestants who have the highest overall composite scores. For more information on IMTA winners and events, please visit IMTA.com.

Female Model of the Year Michelle Paige, Barbizon Chique, Philadelphia, PA

Male Model of the Year Ryan Lionberger, Barbizon, St. Louis, MO

Young Adult Female Actor of the Year Anna Fleury, Texas Acting & Modeling Academy, Austin, TX

Young Adult Male Actor of the Year Robert Richard, Mayo Hill Centre/Neal Hamil Agency, Houston, TX

Most Sought After Female Talent Mariel Sheets, Aint It Good Productions, Coeur dAlene, ID and Kailey Hyman, John Robert Powers, Philadelphia, PA

Most Sought After Male Talent Brion Watson, Barbizon Avanti, Raleigh, NC

Most Sought After Female Model Tatiyana Cotton, IMD, Medford, OR

Most Sought After Male Model Ryan Lionberger, Barbizon, St. Louis, MO

Junior Female Model of the Year Lauren Akumuo, Barbizon Chique, Philadelphia, PA

Junior Male Model of the Year Daniel Schuler, IMD, Medford, OR

Junior Miss Model of the Year Tatiyana Cotton, IMD, Medford, OR

Fitness Female Model of the Year – Stephanie Kamin, Mayo Hill Centre/Neal Hamil Agency, Houston, TX

Fitness Male Model of the Year Jason Helenbrook, Personal Best, Buffalo, NY

Female Actor of the Year Jade Froeder, Main Line Models, King of Prussia, PA

Male Actor of the Year Michael Dominguez, Texas Acting & Modeling Academy, Austin, TX

Junior Female Actor of the Year Alexandria Petrosinelli, New England Models Group, Manchester, NH

Junior Male Actor of the Year Zachary Fox, Main Line Models, Media, PA

Junior Miss Actor of the Year Sarah Fostier, New England Models Group, Manchester, NH

Young Miss Model of the Year Ava Galindo, Mayo Hill Centre/Neal Hamil Agency, Houston, TX

Pre-Teen Male Model of the Year Peter Sherek, Caryn International, Minneapolis, MN

Child Male Model of the Year Nathaniel McIntyre, Nijah, Hicksville, NY

Child Female Model of the Year Demi Mills, Nijah, Hicksville, NY

Young Miss Actor of the Year Brooke Bastian, MTM, Chicago, IL

Male Pre-Teen Actor of the Year Sammy Couch, Barbizon Ice, Toronto, Canada

Child Female Actor of the Year Mariel Sheets, Aint It Good Productions, Coeur dAlene, ID

Child Male Actor of the Year Julian Ortiz, Barbizon Chique, Philadelphia, PA

Many scholarships were also awarded during the gala ceremony.

About IMTA:

IMTA is the most prestigious Association of Modeling and Talent Training Centers. IMTA produces two Conventions annually where Models, Actors, Singers and Dancers showcase their potential in front of the largest audience of Agents, Managers and Casting Directors ever assembled. Since 1987, IMTA has debuted an extraordinary number of modeling and talent stars who are working in the fashion and entertainment industry.

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