LOS ANGELES – “Gun Hill Road” took home best picture in the 26th edition of the Imagen Foundation’s film awards honoring the Hispanics of the year in the world of entertainment, a communique from the organization said.

The film by first-time director Rashaad Ernesto Green recounts the drama of a Latino family in the New York City borough of the Bronx, whose life is changes when dad returns home after doing time in jail and finds nothing the same.

Esai Morales and Judy Reyes co-star in the film in which transgender actress Harmony Santana makes her debut and whose character carries much of the film’s dramatic weight. Morales took the prize for best actor.

Other awards in the movie category went to Michelle Rodriguez as best actress for her role in “Tropico de Sangre” (Rains of Injustice), Miguel Sandoval as best supporting actor for “Spoken Word,” and Adriana Barraza as best supporting actress for “From Prada to Nada.”

Prizewinners in the television category were Freddy Rodriguez as best actor for “Chaos,” Martha Higareda as best actress for “Lies in Plain Sight,” Carlos Gomez as best supporting actor for “The Glades,” and Eva La Rue as best supporting actress for “CSI: Miami.”

Young Selena Gomez was awarded the prize for best actress in a telenovela for her role in “Wizards of Waverly Place.”

The gala took place Friday night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles before some 500 Latino guests in the industry.

Among the celebrities on hand were Edward James Olmos, Kenny Ortega, Esai Morales, Cote de Pablo, Eva La Rue, Lupe Ontiveros, Victoria Justice and Alexa Vega.

The goal of the Imagen Foundation is to encourage and acknowledge the positive image of Hispanics in the world of entertainment.