Chick-fil-A Chairman and CEO Dan Cathy, a famous figure in the business world, was honored on Tuesday for his pivotal role in another arena: the state's booming film industry.
The African American Film Critics Association saluted Cathy with the 2017 AAFCA Film Icon Award at a luncheon at the Swan Coach House, an event that included a video featuring tributes from some of Atlanta’s most prominent business, civic and political leaders.
"It's important for us to recognize Dan today, not just because he's invested in film and the arts, but because he's invested in people," said Chick-fil-A Vice President of Community Affairs Rodney Bullard, who is executive director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation.
A key investor in the Pinewood Studios facility in Fayette County, Cathy and his partners last year unveiled plans for Pinewood Forrest, a new $700 million mixed-use community on the studio’s doorstep, and he was on hand for the launch of the Georgia Film Academy’s on-site teaching soundstage.
MORE: Here's the new trailer for Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy 2," which filmed at Pinewood
“I’m having the time of my life thinking of things we can do to attract artists to our community,” said Cathy, noting plans for a graffiti artist-in-residence and a tattoo parlor.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Atlanta Mayor and U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, Atlanta Falcons owner and Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank, Former Home Depot Chairman and CEO Frank Blake and Coca-Cola Co. Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent all appeared in the video offering congratulations.
“Dan is a trusted and vital partner and I’ve truly learned a heck of a lot from him,” Kent said.
Young referred to Cathy’s work in the film world as a ministry, and Reed said that Cathy was becoming known not just for the restaurant chain his father founded but “equally as well for his commitment to the film industry. As the 59th mayor of the city of Atlanta, I cannot tell you how delighted I am.”
AAFCA President Gil Robertson ticked off a number of Marvel movies that have filmed at Pinewood, including "Captain America: Civil War," "Guardians of the Galaxy 2" and "Spiderman." Currently filming in Atlanta (at EUE/Screen Gems) is the Marvel project "Black Panther," with Chadwick Boseman in the title role, Ryan Coogler directing and Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong'o in the cast. All are African American.
>> RELATED VIDEO: AAFCA's Gil Robertson discusses the winners and losers at the AJC Oscars Party
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