‘Selena’ Captures 4 Prizes in Latino Media Awards

“Selena,” the film about the slain tejano singing star, was the big winner at the 1998 American Latino Media Arts Awards on Sunday, grabbing honors in four categories including best movie of the year.

Also honored for their work on the film were stars Jennifer Lopez and Edward James Olmos and director Gregory Nava.

In the television categories, ABC’s “NYPD Blue” was named best drama while the award for best comedy was shared by two NBC sitcoms, “Suddenly Susan” and the now defunct “The Tony Danza Show.”

The ALMA Awards, formerly known as the Bravo Awards, are handed out by the National Council of La Raza in recognition of films, TV programs and performers who present positive portrayals of Latinos. Sunday’s ceremony at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium honored work released in 1997.

The event was taped for broadcast on ABC June 4.

Other winners in movie categories were Cameron Diaz for her performance in “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” and “Vocessitas” (Little Voices), which was named best independent feature film.

Television acting awards went to Benjamin Bratt (NBC’s “Law & Order”), Nestor Carbonell (NBC’s “Suddenly Susan”), Lupe Ontiveros (NBC’s “Veronica’s Closet”), Rita Moreno (HBO’s “Oz”), Hector Elizondo (CBS’ “Borrowed Hearts”), Evelina Fernandez (UPN’s “Hollywood Confidential”), Elizabeth Pena (USA’s “Contagious”) and Jacqueline Torres (the syndicated “FX: The Series”).

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Mark Consuelos and Eva LaRue of ABC’s “All My Children” won as the best performers in daytime soap operas, while the award for best performer in a variety or music show went to Placido Domingo for PBS’ “The Metropolitan Opera Presents--Carmen.”

“Selena” star Olmos also picked up an award for best performance in a crossover role in a TV movie or miniseries for Showtime’s “12 Angry Men.” Jimmy Smits was similarly honored in the series category for “NYPD Blue.”

“Sesame Street” was named best children’s program, while PBS’ “The Fight in the Fields: Cesar Chavez and the Farmworkers’ Struggle” won as best TV documentary. PBS’ “Foto-Novelas” was cited for best Latino cast in a movie or miniseries.