Kevin Costner Among Honorees at Prestigious LMGI Awards
Location Managers Guild International to Honor Kevin Costner and Industry Veterans at 12th Annual LMGI Awards
While few outside the tight-knit world of film and television production truly understand the vital role of location managers, their work is indispensable. From scouting and securing locations to navigating permits, negotiating with property owners, and managing on-set logistics like parking, noise, and clean-up — location professionals ensure productions run smoothly and leave no trace once the cameras stop rolling.
To spotlight these often-overlooked contributors, the Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) will host its 12th annual LMGI Awards gala on August 23 at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica.
“If you want recognition, you wait a long time for someone else to give it to you — so you might as well give it to yourself,” says LMGI president John Rakich. Fittingly, Rakich offered this insight from a remote road in rural Morocco, in 115-degree heat, en route to an abandoned salt mine south of Marrakesh — just another day on location for his current Amazon series.
Each year, the LMGI draws attention to the craft by honoring prominent individuals who deeply value location work. This year’s Eva Monley Award — named for the legendary location scout — will go to Kevin Costner. Known for his deep connection to landscapes and place-driven storytelling, Costner has long showcased the American West through both acting and directing. His resume includes iconic projects such as Wyatt Earp, Yellowstone, Dances With Wolves, Open Range, and his ambitious Horizon: An American Saga. Previous recipients of the Eva Monley Award include cinematic greats like Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson, and Danny Boyle.
The LMGI Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to industry veteran Ilt Jones. Though not a household name, Jones is widely respected among film professionals. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, the Welsh-born Jones has managed locations for major global productions including The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, Kong: Skull Island, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Captain Marvel, and the Transformers franchise.
Jones’ entry into the industry was as unconventional as it was serendipitous. After moving to Los Angeles to run a messenger service — which gave him a strong grasp of city geography — a friend from London Weekend Television invited him to scout for a show that required locations resembling Beirut, Geneva, the south of France, San Diego, and Tokyo — all in or around L.A.
“She said, ‘You’re a decent amateur photographer. Can you find these places?’ So I did,” Jones recalls. The photos landed in front of director Paul Greengrass (United 93, The Bourne Supremacy), who was preparing a 1993 episode of NBC’s Crime Story. Greengrass wanted Jones on board as location manager.
“I said, ‘It may have escaped your attention, but I’ve never done this before,’” laughs Jones, who retired in 2023. “She said, ‘Oh, details, details.’” Despite early hiccups — “minor details like maps, parking, and catering” — Jones quickly adapted and built a decades-long career on what he learned in those first few chaotic days.
This year’s gala will be hosted by actor and producer Rachael Harris (Goosebumps, The Hangover). In addition to celebrating Costner and Jones, the evening will feature awards recognizing outstanding work in contemporary and period film and television, limited series, commercials, and film commissions. The LMGI will also present its Humanitarian Award to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
