NYC Media Commissioner Rafael Espinal attends the 2026 Writers Guild Awards New York Ceremony at Edison Ballroom on March 08, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Writers Guild of America East)
New York City’s Commissioner of Media and Entertainment, Rafael Espinal, attended the Writers Guild’s 78th Annual Award Ceremony on Tuesday.
The newly appointed Commissioner noted that the city’s reputation for film and television continues to stand out.
“It’s important for the rest of the world to see that New York City continues to be a prestigious place to shoot and film,” Espinal said. “So seeing the roster [that] has been nominated is extremely heartening, and we want to continue to see that being the case moving forward.”
He also noted that he and Mayor Mamdani are committed to serving New York writers, assuring them that they are working hard to ensure New York maintains a place for writers to work and thrive.
“I would like the writers to know that…Mayor Mamdani and [I], are laser-focused on ensuring that we are building the resources you need to produce your work, but also be able to continue living in our city,” Espinal said.
Jon M. Crowley, Executive Director of the New Jersey Film and TV Commission and Writers Guild Awards Member, also said he aims to ensure steady employment for writers in the Metro area.
“I was born and raised in LA, so I’m used to a lot of awards being out on the West Coast. It’s great to share some of the spotlight here on the East Coast to show moviegoers and TV fans a lot of production is getting done on the East Coast,” Crowley said. “The two states are a real potent combination for filmmakers to know that whatever you need in terms of a location or workforce, we’ve got you covered.”
In addition to the city members who attended the event, this Writers Guild Award Ceremony marked a vital moment for departing “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert. Colbert was awarded the Walter Bernstein Award, an award given to individuals who “demonstrate creativity, grace, and bravery in confronting social injustice in the face of adversity.”
The award, named after screenwriter Walter Bernstein, who Hollywood Studios blacklisted in 1950 for his political opinions, was invented in 2017 and has only been given out twice before Colbert: first to writer Jelani Cobb in 2017 and then to screenwriter Ron Nyswaner in 2024.
It was announced that Colbert would be honored with the award in January, seven months after Paramount confirmed that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” would be cancelled due to financial pressures.
Colbert was presented the trophy by Robert Smigel, a longtime colleague in the industry.
“I’m very honored. He’s someone I’ve been very close with for 30 years, and I got him his first TV job at the Dana Carvey Show, which led to a daily show, and it’s probably…my greatest contribution to comedy,” Smigel said.
Colbert thanked his peers on the “Late Show” during his ceremonial speech, while also taking a jab at Paramount for ending the series.
“They are the best writing staff I have ever known at any show, and I have loved our time together, which wasn’t as much time as I would like,” Colbert said in his speech.
Colbert was met with a round of applause throughout his speech, highlighting how much of a momentous figure he is within the industry.
“I’m just anxious to listen to him, because it’s an honor to be in his presence. But it’s also painful to see someone who’s being forced to say goodbye in a way, and you don’t want them to go, and they don’t want to go,” Host Roy Wood Jr. said prior to the event.
The event also included a series of awards given out for winning screenplays, documentaries, TV series, animation and more. For a full list of the awards and winners, please visit awards.wga.org.
