Catholics in Media Associates (CIMA) was born out of the Archbishop’s annual communion breakfast, at which working professionals in the entertainment industry would gather for prayer and fellowship. In 1992, Rev. Tony Scannell, OFM Capuchin began holding regular prayer meetings for industry professionals and artists to reflect on their faith and spirituality as it was experienced in the workplace. As this group grew in spirit and purpose, then-Archbishop Roger Cardinal Mahony asked the group to host the annual breakfast for the entertainment industry.

CIMA’s mission was broadened with the establishment of the CIMA Awards in 1993. This was done, in part, in response to the 1992 Vatican document on media, Aetatis Novae - that we “contribute to that integral development of the dimensions of man and society and that we should seek ... to promote media awards and other means of recognition in order to encourage and support media professionals”.

The CIMA Awards recognize those projects and people in the entertainment industry who, by their work, have made clearer the Word of God. These awards were created to spotlight media professionals, films, television programs, and other entertainment forms that uplift the human spirit, promote human dignity, and help us better understand what it is to be part of the human family.

CIMA is an incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors and supported by the generous time and talents of numerous volunteers. Because of this generosity, and those of sponsoring organizations, we are able to celebrate the annual entrainment industry mass and awards, and continue our mission as the Catholic-peer association for the entertainment industry in Los Angeles.