Nearly three years ago Hurricane Sandy came crashing into the tri-state area doing significant damage. Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty were among those hard hit. Both venues closed to tourists and museum displays for quite some time.

Recently, Ellis Island officially reopened it’s doors. As a part of the festivities they scheduled their annual awards gala in the Great Hall. This event was not to be like the others they had done. This was to be something bigger.

Turning to TeleStory Pictures, Ellis Island asked us to create celebrity tribute films for the event in a style like the Kennedy Center Honors. The Foundation had produced honoree videos in the past but not films on this scale or scope.

Ellis Island Foundation chose three celebrities to honor that night all with family historical significance. Patti LuPone, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Henry Louis Gates, Jr were to be honored for their contributions to the American family and heritage. We worked closely with the Foundation and the leads for these celebrities to create visual stories that portrayed their challenge and triumph to live the American Dream.

These three short films made a big impact on the event helping set the tone for the awards and evenings atmosphere. Below are the three films. One of them in it’s entirety and the other two in shorter form. While watching consider having one of these produced for your corporation, CEO, or even a personal documentary film. Enjoy the show!

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