Awards Ceremony Culminates Successful Run for Fifth Annual Centre Film Festival

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (From the Bellisario College of Communications) — Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi helped put the finishing touches on a successful run for the fifth annual Centre Film Festival by presenting a major award during the festival’s closing night awards ceremony.

Bendapudi introduced and honored alumnus Gerry Abrams, who received the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Abrams has crafted a film and television production career that crosses over numerous genres and spans nearly six decades. He has produced more than 70 films and television specials while working with a who’s who in Hollywood. Abrams earned his Penn State bachelor’s degree in 1961 and was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1986.

"Throughout his acclaimed career, he has never forgotten Penn State, returning often to campus and sharing his time, talent and treasure with our students,” Bendapudi noted while honoring Abrams. She said Abrams’ career was a testament to his dedication to the craft, creative accomplishment, hard work and perseverance. “Gerry Abrams embodies those characteristics and is truly deserving of this award," she said.