On October 17, the Directors Guild of America (DGA) honored Broadway Stages Founder Tony Argento and its President & CEO Gina Argento for their enduring commitment to and impact on the New York City film and television industry. They were recognized alongside such luminaries as Director Francis Ford Coppola, See It Now Studios President and former CBS News Executive Susan Zirinsky, the film distribution company Criterion, and the children's program “Sesame Street” at the 25th Directors Guild of America Honors at the DGA Theater in New York City.

DGA National Vice President Laura Belsey said, "This year's honorees represent the broad ecosystem needed to bring a Director's creative and artistic vision to life, reaching and inspiring audiences across the globe." DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter further applauded Tony and Gina Argento's unwavering support of New York's vibrant creative industry: "Our honorees have exhibited unparalleled dedication, creativity, and passion for our craft."

Broadway Stages got its start in 1983 when Tony Argento saw potential in a dilapidated Astoria theater that he transformed into the company's first soundstage that was home to a multitude of commercials and music video productions for iconic artists like Aretha Franklin, Beyonce, Jay-Z, and others. Tony's sister, Gina, learned the ropes from her brother while growing up; helping out after school and on weekends. She formally joined the company after earning her bachelor's and master's degrees from St. John's University. Together, they nurtured and grew Broadway Stages into a studio production partner-of-choice with more than 60 soundstages, locations, support space, and in-house lighting, power, and grip rental service available to handle all types and sizes of production.

Together with their clients, they have employed thousands of people and created hundreds of local jobs. Broadway Stages is dedicated to giving back to the community through education, the arts, and environmentally focused programs, and supports a host of New York City-based nonprofits that share their commitment to advance equity – social, economic, and environmental – and provide community value across New York City through investments that mutually bolster their business and the local community.

Past DGA Honors recipients have included influential filmmakers Ron Howard, Nora Ephron, Robert Altman, Spike Lee, and Martin Scorsese, as well as leaders in entertainment, labor, and politics such as “Law & Order” creator/producer Dick Wolf, “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels, IATSE International President Matthew Loeb, former AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

With more than 18,000 members, the DGA is a craft union representing directors and members of the directorial team of diverse forms of media, such as film, television, documentaries, news, sports, commercials, and new media.

We join the Directors Guild of America in congratulating our very own Tony and Gina on their accomplishments. We look forward to a great future together and continuing our role as the studio production partner-of-choice!  See the DGA NYC Honors Gala photo gallery here.