(VOXtra) - In a gala awash in the glamour and history of the strike-free Beverly Hilton International Ballroom in Los Angeles Sunday night, an international cast of presenters announced winners of the 10th Annual Voice Arts® Awards.

Sponsored by SOVAS - the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences - the annual competition and ceremony honored voice actors and associated craft professionals in more than 100 categories, ranging from voices for motion picture animation and radio and TV commercials to audiobooks, spoken word, voice over demos, political ads, toys, audio description for the blind and low-vision people, websites and many more.

Stephane Cornicard (pictured/Facebook photo) was feted for Outstanding Body of Work - Best Voice Actor.

Similar category winners reflected the growing international flair of the Voice Arts Awards:

In all, categories honored voice acting in African, Arabic, English, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese and Spanish languages.

"This year's Voice Arts Awards, the 10th Anniversary, was as good as it gets," says SOVAS CEO Rudy Gaskins.

"It was an amazing, joyous affair that captured the heart and spirit of global diversity, inclusivity, and the magic of dreams fulfilled. SOVAS is living its mission, and I couldn't be prouder of what we have accomplished."

Following the Red Carpet, Reception and Dinner, the Gala's ceremony - hosted by SOVAS Co-Founder, CCO and Secretary Joan Baker - began with special presentations to:

Days earlier, at the SOVAS That's Voiceover Expo, also in Los Angles, voice actor/coach Joe Cipriano presented legendary voice actor Dave Fennoy with the Legacy Award 2023 (pictured/Facebook photo).

Congratulations to all nominees and winners!

Nominees were, of course, anxious last week ahead of the Gala: Will I win?

But anxieties were doubled for them - and for Gala ticket holders - by rolling strikes at a number of Los Angeles hotels, including the Beverly Hilton, by Unite Here Local 11, which represents hospitality workers in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. 

So there was a possibility that Gala attendees would have to cross a union picket line.

The Voice Arts Awards was not alone in that squeeze. The Beverly Hilton was also scheduled to host the Golden Globes nominations on December 11 and the Golden Globes ceremony on January 7.

SOVAS noted the event had been booked at the hotel prior to the strike, and that cancelling or changing the venue would "dramatically" impact its finances and the organization's "ability to to fulfill its 501c3 charitable mission." SAG-AFTRA advised members to stand by the union if they were not "contractually obligated" to attend. And robust discussions ensued on VO social media platforms.

Then: Friday, December 8. The union announced reaching a tentative agreement with the Beverly Hilton. There would be no strike. The sigh of relief was palpable in Hollywood and online.

For more about SOVAS, its programs and the annual Voice Arts Awards, visit: www.SOVAS.org.