The Del Rio Awards

New Iberia Movie Night recognizes film industry professionals with a New Iberia connection:

8. Morgan Deare (awarded March 9, 2025)

Morgan Kelly "Mike" Deare was born in New Iberia, LA, to a prominent local family, and graduated from New Iberia High School in the 1960s. He has had a successful career as a stage actor in the UK that has spanned several decades, and has also appeared in numerous films, including the 1988 genre-shattering Who Framed Roger Rabbit (NIMN 2025), in which he portrayed a human character and voiced two of the leading toons.

7. Allan Durand (awarded August 25, 2024)

Allan Durand of St. Martinville is a screenwriter, producer, actor and attorney, and one of a handful of Louisianans to earn an Oscar statuette. His films include Willie Francis Must Die Again (NIMN 2024) and Belizaire the Cajun (NIMN 2024).

6. Rex Reed (awarded January 13, 2024)

The film critic lived in New Iberia for a time during his youth, and has recounted that frequent trips to see movies at the Essanee were a lifeline to a larger cultural view. Multiple NIMN members have seen an Iberia Parish Library card with his signature on it.

5. Christian J. Simon (awarded December 12, 2022)

At only 14 years old, this Emmy-nominated New Iberia native has made his name in film, TV, and commercials. We look forward to watching his future moves. 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104940/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

4. Natalie Kingston (awarded 2021)

We honor cinematographer Natalie Kingston, a world-class talent born and raised in New Iberia.

https://www.emmys.com/news/online-originals/natalie-kingston-helps-black-bird-soar

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3559511/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

3. Bryan Lourd (awarded December 8, 2019)

Born and bred son-of-New Iberia moves to L.A. and becomes major Hollywood kingmaker. Huzzahs to a noteworthy talent agent whose hometown's sweetness, saltiness and yes, even spiciness, have undoubtedly held him in good stead from LA to LA LA Land.

2. William Eckart (awarded July 10, 2017)
New Iberia's William Eckart and his wife, Jean Eckart, designed  for stage and screen, receiving three Tony Award nominations and working with the great talents of Broadway and Hollywood. Later, they taught theater design at Southern Methodist University. (Damn Yankees, NIMN 2017)

1. Dolores del Rio (awarded June 4, 2017)

NIMN's inaugural Del Rio Award is bestowed upon its namesake actress, the luminous Dolores del Rio, pictured at left. The star of Evangeline (NIMN 2017), and Bird of Paradise (NIMN 2017), del Rio was a-once-in-a-generation screen talent.