The Guild of Italian American Actors was founded in 1937 as the Italian Actors Union to protect the rights of Italian American actors, and renamed in 1998. The guild has jurisdiction over Italian language professional theater, and works to preserve and promote awareness of Italian culture and heritage. GIAA also provides a casting resource to directors and producers seeking Italian American actors. The 2016 GIAA's officers elections: President- Carlo Fiorletta; 1st Vice President- Carson Ferri Grant; 2nd Vice President- Debbie Klaar; Secretary/Treasurer- Mara Lesemann; Councilor: Elaine Legaro; Ron Piretti; Alternate Councilors: Simcha Borenstein; Lauren Cozza. On June 1, 2014, DPE President Paul Almeida became the 4A's Executive Director and DPE took over administrative functions of the 4A's, as per the April 15, 2014, agreement between the DPE and the 4A's. As part of the agreement, AGVA and GIAA affiliated with the DPE. AGMA, already a DPE affiliate, AGVA, and GIAA remain AFL-CIO affiliates through the 4A's. The other two 4A's members, AEA and SAG-AFTRA, previously received direct charters from the AFL-CIO. At the 4A's Convention on December 2, 2015 the following 4A’s officers were elected. Officers President – Gabrielle Carteris SAG-AFTRA; 1st Vice President – David White, SAG-AFTRA; 2nd Vice President – Mary McColl, AEA; 3rd Vice President – Susanne Doris – AGVA Delegate; 4th Vice President – Deborah Alton Maher, AGMA Delegate; 5th Vice President – Carson Grant, GIAA; Treasurer – Mary Lou Westerfield, AEA; Executive Secretary – Paul E. Almeida, DPE.
GIAA Festival of Short Films and Videos was an annual film festival and award ceremony celebrating successful short films and videos, as well as scripts. Winners receive awards including the 'GIAA: Italian American Heritage Award', and awards for the best actor, actress, documentary, and animation. An Audience Favorite award was added in 2008. In 2012 the festival was discontinued after 5 years and there is no current plan to restart it.
Controversy
GIAA was barred from marching in the Columbus Day Parade in 2002 because it refused to give to parade organizers a list of members who appeared on The Sopranos.
Officers
Current officers can be found on the organization's website. Elections are held every 3 years in April, as of 2007.
