ICG Publicists Name Jon M. Chu Motion Picture Showman of the Year

Jon M. Chu, known for his visually stunning blockbuster films including Crazy Rich Asians, will receive the Motion Picture Showman of the Year Award at the 56th Annual International Cinematographers Guild (ICG, IATSE Local 600) Publicists Awards for his unique contribution to the art of movies. The awards, which traditionally occur the week leading up to the Academy Awards®, will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Friday, February 22, 2018.

In announcing the award, Steven Poster, ASC, National President of the ICG, said, "Jon M. Chu has made an extraordinary contribution to the art of film-making. His Crazy Rich Asians, adored by audiences throughout the world, is the first studio modern day film to feature an all-Asian cast in a quarter of a century. We celebrate the achievement of this breakout film, which has moved diverse audiences around the world."

Award-winning director Jon M. Chu is known for his kinetic work across various genres from groundbreaking digital series to commercials and feature films. Most recently, Chu directed the worldwide phenomenon, Crazy Rich Asians, which has earned over $173 million dollars in the United States alone.

Chu's previous credits include Step Up 2: The Streets, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never and many more representing over 1.3 billion dollars in the worldwide box office. Additionally, his unique storytelling ability has earned him the honor of being on The Hollywood Reporter's Power 100 list this year, as well as Variety's New Hollywood Leaders. His past honors include a Teen Choice Award, MTV Movie Award, and International Emmy.

In the commercial/digital/music video space Chu broke new ground by creating The LEGION of Extraordinary Dancers (The LXD) and broke records with directing videos for Justin Bieber and the Virgin America Safety Video. Chu is directing and executive producing an untitled streaming series for Apple inspired by 11-year-old investigative reporter Hilde Lysiak.

In the summer of 2019, Chu will helm his most ambitious project to date: the highly anticipated adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights for Warner Bros. Studios.

As the youngest of five children from Palo Alto, California, Chu continues to use the influences of his childhood (family, technology, food, music and movement) to tell personal stories that connect with audiences from around the world.

Awards chair this year is Tim Menke with Sheryl Main serving as co-chair. Nominations will be announced in January 2019. Final online balloting will be held Jan. 14 - Feb. 4, and winners will be announced at the lunch ceremony on Friday, February 22, 2019.

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