Actress Meryl Streep Present at 84th Academy Awards Oscar Ceremony Sunday, February 26th

On Wednesday, February 22, 2012 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences telecast producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer announced that two-time Academy Award®-winning actress Meryl Streep will present at the 84th Academy Awards Oscar ceremony. Billy Crystal to host the awards ceremony show.

Streep, who is nominated for her lead performance in “The Iron Lady,” has been nominated a total of 17 times – the most for any performer in Oscar history. She won a Supporting Actress Oscar in 1979 for her role in “Kramer vs. Kramer” and the Best Actress award in 1982 for her role in “Sophie’s Choice.” Her other film credits include “It’s Complicated,” “Julie & Julia,” “Doubt,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Adaptation,” “The Hours,” “Music of the Heart,” “The Bridges of Madison County,” “The River Wild,” “Ironweed” and “Silkwood.” Streep will be seen next in “Great Hope Springs.”

Streep joins a stellar list of previously announced Oscar presenters, including Halle Berry, Rose Byrne, Bradley Cooper, Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Michael Douglas, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Zach Galifianakis, Tom Hanks, Angelina Jolie, Milla Jovovich, Ellie Kemper, Jennifer Lopez, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Maya Rudolph, Emma Stone and Kristen Wiig.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

About The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards—in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners—the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies. For more information visit http://www.oscars.org/

Source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Photos credit to: Michael Yada, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Editor’s Note: Diversity News Magazine and Diversity News TV team started covering the 84th Academy Awards Oscar Week from Monday to Sunday, February 26, 2012. Thank you to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Michael Douglas, Will Ferrell, Halle Berry, Tom Cruise, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Hanks Named Presenters for 84th Academy Awards Oscar Ceremony

On Tuesday, February 21, 2012 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences telecast producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer announced Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis to present at the 84th Academy Awards Oscar ceremony. Billy Crystal to host the awards ceremony show.

Ferrell and Galifianakis join a stellar list of previously announced Oscar presenters, including Halle Berry (Academy Award®-winner), Rose Byrne, Bradley Cooper, Tom Cruise (Three-time Academy Award®-nominated), Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Michael Douglas (Two-time Academy Award® winner), Tina Fey, Tom Hanks (Two-time Academy Award®-winner), Angelina Jolie (Academy Award®-winner), Milla Jovovich, Ellie Kemper, Jennifer Lopez, Melissa McCarthy, Wendy McLendon-Covey, Chris Rock (Former Oscar host and Grammy-winner comedian), Maya Rudolph, Ben Stiller, Emma Stone and Kristen Wiig.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

About The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards—in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners—the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies. For more information visit http://www.oscars.org/

Source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Photos credit to: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Editor’s Note: Diversity News Magazine and Diversity News TV team started covering the 84th Academy Awards Oscar Week from Monday to Sunday, February 26, 2012. Thank you to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Hollywood Street & Sidewalk Closures for the 84th Academy Awards Week

On Tuesday, February 14, 2012 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that to ensure public safety, support security strategies and facilitate the production of the 84th Academy Awards®, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the City of Los Angeles have finalized street closure plans around the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood.

To accommodate the construction of press risers, fan bleachers and pre-show stages along the Academy Awards red carpet, Hollywood Boulevard will be closed between Highland Avenue and Orange Drive beginning at 10 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, and remain closed until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28.

MTA subway trains will bypass the Hollywood & Highland station after the last regularly scheduled train on Saturday, February 25, until 6 a.m. Monday, February 27. Service at the station will resume with the first scheduled train after 6 a.m.

Between Sunday, February 19, and Oscar Sunday, February 26, additional streets and sidewalks will be closed for varying periods.

READ IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

21 days Prior to Show (Sunday, February 5, 2012):

1. Close Orchid Alley from Orange Drive to Orchid Street from 8 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2012, except for emergency vehicles.

14 Days Prior to Show (Sunday, February 12, 2012):

1. Close north curb lane of Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to south east corner of Orange Drive from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012. (Except MTA buses until Sunday, February 19, 2012)
2. Close north sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to 230 feet east of Orange Drive allowing 8-foot pedestrian access from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012.
3. Close east and west curb lanes on Orange Drive from Hollywood Boulevard to Orchid Alley from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012.

7 Days Prior to Show (Sunday, February 19, 2012):

1. Close south sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard from Orange Drive to Highland Avenue from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012, except 8-foot pedestrian access.
2. Close all lanes of Hollywood Boulevard from the southeast corner of Orange Drive to Highland Avenue from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012.
3. Close north sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Kodak Theatre portal from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012. This is a complete sidewalk closure in front of the entrance to Awards Walk. Pedestrian traffic re-routed and emergency access available.
4. Close balance of north sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to Orange Drive allowing 8-foot pedestrian access from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012.
5. Close the pedestrian crosswalk, mid-block on Hollywood Boulevard between Orange Drive and Highland Avenue, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2012.
6. Close north and south curb lanes of Hawthorn Avenue from Highland Avenue to Orange Drive from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012. MTA to re-route bus traffic. School buses exempt through the end of the school day on Friday, February 24, 2012.
7. Close Hawthorn Alley behind El Capitan Theatre from 300 feet east of Orange Drive east to the “T” alley from 10 p.m.. to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. The remainder of Hawthorn Alley to remain open from the “T” east to Highland Avenue.

6 Days Prior to Show (Monday, February 20, 2012):

1. Close Hawthorn Alley on the east side of the El Capitan Theatre from Hollywood Boulevard south 210 feet to “T” of east/west alley from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012.

2 Days Prior to Show (Friday, February 24, 2012):

1. Close Hawthorn Avenue from Highland Avenue to Orange Drive from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012. School busses allowed on Friday only.

1 Day Prior to Show (Saturday, February 25, 2012):

1. Close Orchid Street from 60 feet south of Franklin Boulevard to Orchid Alley from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 except for residents, emergency vehicles, and hotel loading.
2. Close Orange Drive from Orchid Alley to Hollywood Boulevard from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012. Exception for local residents, local business access, and emergency vehicles.
3. Close north and south sidewalk of Hawthorn Avenue from Highland Avenue to Orange Drive from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012.
4. Close north sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to Orange Drive from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012. MTA station to be by-passed from the last regularly scheduled train on Saturday, February 25 until the first scheduled train after 6 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2012. Pedestrian traffic rerouted to south sidewalk.
5. Close west sidewalk of Highland Avenue from Johnny Grant Way south to Hollywood Boulevard from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012.
6. Close Johnny Grant Way from Highland Avenue to Orchid Street from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012.

Day of Show (Sunday, February 26, 2012):

1. Close remainder of Hawthorn Alley from Orange Drive to Highland Avenue from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012.
2. Close Orange Drive from Hawthorn Avenue to Hollywood Boulevard from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012.
3. Close north sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to 300 feet east of Highland Avenue in front of closed businesses from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012. Erect bike rack.
4. Close south sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to 300 feet east of Highland Avenue from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 except for 8-foot pedestrian access. Erect bike rack.
5. Close south sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard directly in front of the north-south running Hawthorn Alley from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012. Erect fencing along the entire sidewalk. No pedestrian access to cross alley.
6. Close east sidewalk of Highland Avenue from Hollywood Boulevard to Hawthorn Avenue from 12:01 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 except for 8-foot pedestrian access. Erect bike rack.
7. Close west sidewalk of Highland Avenue from Hollywood Boulevard south to Hawthorn Avenue from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 except for 8-foot pedestrian access. Erect bike rack and fencing.
8. Close east sidewalk of Highland Avenue from Yucca Street south to the alley from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 except for 8-foot pedestrian access.
9. Close north and south crosswalks on Hollywood Boulevard at the Highland Avenue intersection from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012.
10. Erect bike rack on the east curb of Highland Avenue from Hollywood Boulevard to the alley north of Hollywood Boulevard from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012.
11. Close northbound and southbound 101-freeway off-ramps at Highland.
12. Restricted access on streets that end at or intersect Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue at the discretion of the LAPD and LADOT.

For more details of the closures and maps of affected areas are available from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the Sixth and the Thirteenth District City Council field offices, at www.navigatehollywood.com, and on the Academy’s website at www.oscars.org/closures.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

About The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards—in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners—the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies. For more information visit www.oscars.org

Source: Oscars.org
Poster credit to:  ©A.M.P.A.S.®

Editor’s Note: Diversity News Magazine and Diversity News TV team will be covering the 84th Academy Awards starting from Monday to Sunday, February 26, 2012. Thank you to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Eddie Murphy Replacement Billy Crystal to Return as Host for 84th Academy Awards

On Thursday, November 10, 2011 Producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer announced that Billy Crystal will serve as host for the 84th Academy Awards.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Billy back to the Oscar® stage,” said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Tom Sherak. “He’s a comic legend and Oscar icon, and it feels good to have him back where he belongs.”

Commented Grazer, “Like so many others, I’ve been eager to see Billy host again. It’s very gratifying that he agreed to do it with Don and me at the helm.”

Said Mischer, “With Billy, we’re moving forward with one of the greatest hosts in Oscar history. His return to the Oscars® is, in a sense, a celebration.”

This will mark Crystal’s ninth time as host. Only Bob Hope has hosted more Academy Awards presentations, with 19 ceremonies between 1940 and 1978. Crystal last hosted the Academy Awards in 2004.

“Some of the best moments of my career have happened on the Oscar stage. I am thrilled to be back there. Actually, I am doing this so that the young woman in my pharmacy will stop asking me my name when I pick up my prescriptions,” said Crystal.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar® presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.


Source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Photo credit to: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Breaking News: Brian Grazer To Produce 84th Academy Awards with Don Mischer

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is not wasting time after Brett Ratner resigned as producer of the 84th Academy Awards, they have found a replacement.

Academy President Tom Sherak announced today that Academy Award®-winner Brian Grazer will join Don Mischer as a producer of the 84th Academy Awards. This will be the first time Grazer has produced the Oscar® telecast.

“Brian Grazer is a renowned filmmaker who over the past 25 years has produced a diverse and extraordinary body of work,” said Sherak. “He will certainly bring his tremendous talent, creativity and relationships to the Oscars®.”

“I am thrilled to welcome Brian Grazer as my partner and that we will be  collaborating to produce an outstanding show,” echoed Mischer.

“It’s very gratifying to be part of a show that honors excellence in the medium to which I have devoted so much of my career,” said Grazer. “Don is a legend, and I am excited to work with him.”

“I too am delighted that Brian will join Don in producing the Academy Awards and I am looking forward to our producers delivering the movie event of the year,” commented Academy CEO Dawn Hudson.

Grazer has earned four Academy Award nominations. He won a Best Picture Oscar in 2001 for “A Beautiful Mind.” In 1984, Grazer was nominated in the writing category for “Splash,” and he received Best Picture nominations in 1995 and 2008 for “Apollo 13″ and “Frost/Nixon,” respectively.  His other film credits include “Spies Like Us,” “Kindergarten Cop,” “The Nutty Professor,” “Liar Liar,” “8 Mile” and “Cinderella Man.”  His current projects include the about to be released “J. Edgar” and the just released “Tower Heist.”


Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar® presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

Source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Photo credit to: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Entertainment Industry Organizations Stand United in Support for the Rights of Imprisoned Iranian Filmmakers

In September 2011, the Iranian government arrested six independent filmmakers for allegedly working with the BBC, on charges including espionage and treason. Along with the ongoing house arrest of director Jafar Panahi and the prior arrest of actress Marzieh Vafamehr, who was later sentenced to one year in prison and 90 lashes, the arrests sparked outrage from filmmaking communities within Iran and around the world.

Prior to the release of two of the filmmakers, all six were denied access to their lawyers and families, who were forced to remain silent.


The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Screen Actors Guild issued a press release on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 with the following entertainment industry organizations standing united in their support for the rights of Imprisoned Iranian Filmmakers and call for their immediate release.

Statement from the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
As an international organization representing over 6000 artists in 35 countries, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is deeply concerned whenever and wherever the rights of filmmakers are threatened. The recent arrest of six Iranian filmmakers, the sentence of “one year in jail and 90 lashes” to an actress just for playing a role in an acclaimed film, and the continued house arrest of Jafar Panahi, among others, is a situation that demands our serious attention. These filmmakers – and others – are artists, not political combatants. We join our colleagues around the world in calling unequivocally for these filmmakers’ safety, release, and return to filmmaking. They deserve the same, full freedom of expression that the overwhelming majority of our members enjoy every day, no matter where they are from, no matter where they work, no matter what their beliefs.

Statement from the Board of Directors of American Cinema Editors
The American Cinema Editors is an organization of more than 500 professional film editors in the United States and around the globe. We join with the other members of the filmmaking community in expressing our deep concern whenever and wherever the basic human rights of free expression are threatened.

As storytellers, we feel that the arrest of fellow artists for expressing their beliefs, revealing truths and pursuing creative freedom, no matter how controversial, is a story that should no longer have to be told in the 21st century.

Statement from the Board of Governors of the American Society of Cinematographers
The American Society of Cinematographers is an organization of more than 300 professional directors of photography in the United States and throughout the world. We foster the collaboration of cinematographers and the creative exchange of ideas and issues of mutual concern to our members and to the global filmmaking community. We are deeply concerned whenever and wherever the rights of filmmakers are threatened. We share these concerns with our fellow guilds and film organizations: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), The Directors Guild of America (DGA), The Producers Guild of America (PGA), The Screen Actors Guild (SAG), The Writers Guilds of America East and West (WGA), the American Cinema Editors (ACE) and the International Documentary Association (IDA).

We are deeply concerned regarding the recent arrest of six Iranian filmmakers. The sentence of “one year in jail and 90 lashes” to an actress just for playing a role in an acclaimed film, and the continued house arrest of Jafar Panahi, among others, is a situation that demands our serious attention. These filmmakers – and others – are artists, not political combatants. We join our colleagues and cinematographers around the world in calling unequivocally for these Iranian filmmakers’ safety, release, and return to filmmaking. They deserve the same, full freedom of expression that the overwhelming majority of our members enjoy every day, no matter where they are from, no matter where they work, no matter what their beliefs.

Statement from the Directors Guild of America
The Directors Guild of America joins our colleagues and fellow artists around the world in condemning the baseless and cruel imprisonment or detainment of filmmakers by the Iranian government.

We first raised this issue last year immediately after the sentencing of prominent Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. We are extremely concerned that not only does Panahi remain under arrest, but the Iranian government continues to detain filmmakers and other artists without cause.

As an organization representing 14,500 directors and members of the directorial team who live and work all over the world, it is our belief that for a society to flourish, artists must have the freedom to live and work without fear of imprisonment, retribution or censorship. Creative freedom is an essential building block of liberty, culture, civil and human rights, and we join the world community in opposing any attempt to suppress the rights of artists to engage in creative expression. We hope the Iranian government will release these filmmakers and recognize that their creative works can only strengthen and enrich Iranian society.

Statement from the International Documentary Association
The International Documentary Association believes that the power and artistry of film is vital to cultures and societies globally, and we fiercely defend the rights of filmmakers and artists everywhere to practice their art and to seek and reveal truth in their work, however provocative that truth may be. We strenuously uphold the principles of free speech and freedom from censorship. The expression of truth should never be silenced by the exercise of power by a State or system of authority that may feel threatened by the content of the artistic or journalistic work–both essential elements of democracy.

Together with our entire international community of documentary filmmakers, The International Documentary Association calls for the release and fair treatment of Iranian filmmakers, artists, and actors. These artists, and other filmmakers, actors and journalists like them, must be immediately released and allowed to continue their artistic and journalistic work without restriction or penalty. We stand united with them, as do artists across the globe. And we will continue to fight for their fundamental human right of self-expression.

Statement from the Producers Guild of America
As supporters of creative freedom, the Producers Guild of America, on behalf of its more than 4,800 members, wishes to express its profound dismay over the treatment of producer Katayoun Shahabi, directors Jafar Panahi, Naser Saffarian, Hadi Afarideh, Mojtaba Mirtahmasb and Shahnam Bazdar, and journalist and documentarian Mohsen Shahrnazdar at the hands of their Iranian government. The silencing of these voices and others via arrest, coercion and political pressure is unacceptable, and we stand steadfast with our colleagues within the industry and around the world in calling for their release. We look forward to the day when these storytellers are permitted to resume their callings, and hope that even in their captivity, these artists know that they have the sympathy, respect and support of our creative community.

Statement from Screen Actors Guild
Iran has a strong tradition of artistic expression reaching back thousands of years. That tradition is under attack in a contemporary Iran that has seemingly turned against its own artists. Screen Actors Guild deeply deplores the persecution of actor Marzieh Vafamehr and the filmmakers and other entertainment and media industry representatives now under attack in Iran. We add our voices to the thousands of artists worldwide calling on the Iranian government to immediately free Marzieh and the other artists and filmmakers imprisoned because of their artistic and cultural endeavors. We urge Iran to refrain from stifling the artistic expression of its citizens and to let their unique and valuable voices be heard once again.

Statement from the Writers Guilds of America, West and East
The Writers Guilds of America West and East add their voices to the calls for the release of writer/director Jafar Panahi, now under house arrest, and all other members of Iran’s creative community unjustly imprisoned or detained.

The art of Iran is one of the great treasures of humankind. Its cinema has a long and vibrant history–and in recent years, the Iranian cinema has been one of the very brightest lights illuminating the art form for the rest of the world. Its filmmakers represent the richness of Iranian culture and the extraordinary imagination of the Iranian people. All of us are poorer when their voices are stilled.

We urge the government of Iran to remember that these are artists, not political enemies, that they have, as all free people do, the right to hold and express opinions. And we urge the government of Iran to remember that their work is the most powerful ambassador of understanding between the people of Iran and the people of the world.

Nothing is more dangerous to a society than the silencing of art. Therefore, we ask the government of Iran to release its filmmakers and to allow them to live and to work freely, as they have previously done in their country and as most of their fellow artists do in the rest of the world.


Sources: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and Screen Actors Guild 
Picture credit to: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Regulations Concerning the Promotion of Films Eligible for the 84th Academy Awards

On Wednesday, September 21, 2011 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today issued regulations for how movies and achievements eligible for the 84th Academy Awards may be marketed to Academy members. The most notable change affects screening events that include filmmaker participation. Additional changes address digital delivery of movies to Academy members and public references to competing films or achievements via social media platforms.

“These campaign regulations play an important role in protecting the integrity of the Academy Awards process and the distinction of the Oscar®,” said Academy President Tom Sherak. “Above all, we want Academy members to see movies as they were meant to be seen, in a theatrical setting.”

Prior to the nominations announcement (January 24, 2012), there are no restrictions on screening events to which Academy members may be invited. These events may include the live participation of individuals involved with the film (Q&A panel discussions, etc.) as well as receptions with food and beverage. After the nominations have been announced, Academy members may continue be invited to screenings that have filmmaker participation elements but receptions are not permitted. While there is no restriction on the total number of screenings of a particular movie, no one individual from the film can participate in more than two panel discussions. Previously, Academy members could not be invited to any screening event that included live participation of the filmmaker(s) or a reception either before or after the nominations had been announced.


Additionally, after nominations are announced and until final polls close, members may not be invited to or attend any non-screening event that promotes or honors a nominated movie or individual nominee. Nominees themselves are also prohibited from attending such events. Academy-sanctioned events and awards ceremonies presented by the various guilds, critics groups and other organizations are exempt.

The regulations now emphasize that viewing motion pictures in a theatrical setting is highly preferred over any other viewing method. The distribution of screeners is still permitted, however, with specific restrictions on packaging and accompanying materials. The digital distribution of movies to Academy members is now acceptable, as long as the delivery method conforms to the regulations.

The long-standing ban on negative campaigning about other nominated films or individuals is now extended to social media platforms, and specific penalties are spelled out. Academy members will be subject to a one-year suspension for first-time violations and expulsion for any subsequent violations. As in the past, any form of advertising that includes quotes or comments – negative or positive – by Academy members is prohibited.


To read the complete Regulations Concerning the Promotion of Films Eligible for the 84th Academy Awards, go to: http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/rules/regulations.html.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

Sources: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Photo credit to: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Actor & Oscar Nominee Eddie Murphy to Host 84th Academy Awards

Now it is official, on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 Telecast producers Brett Ratner and Don Mischer from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that Oscar® nominee Eddie Murphy, whose performing career spans movies, television and the stage, will host this year’s Academy Awards show on Sunday, February 26, 2012. This will be Murphy’s first hosting stint on the Oscars®.

“Eddie is a comedic genius, one of the greatest and most influential live performers ever,” said Ratner. “With his love of movies, history of crafting unforgettable characters and his iconic performances – especially on stage – I know he will bring excitement, spontaneity and tremendous heart to the show Don and I want to produce in February.”

Commented Mischer, “Eddie is a truly ground-breaking performer, whose amazingly diverse array of roles has won him a devoted audience of all ages. His quick wit and charisma will serve him very well as Oscar host.”

“I am enormously honored to join the great list of past Academy Award hosts from Hope and Carson to Crystal, Martin and Goldberg, among others,” said Murphy. “I’m looking forward to working with Brett and Don on creating a show that is enjoyable for both the fans at home and for the audience at the Kodak Theatre as we all come together to celebrate and recognize the great film contributions and collaborations from the past year.”


Murphy began his career at the age of 15 as a stand-up comedian. In 1980, at the age of 19, he joined the cast of “Saturday Night Live,” becoming the show’s youngest cast member to that point, and bringing to life many of the show’s most memorable  characters. His 1983 album “Eddie Murphy: Comedian” won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording. It included portions of his groundbreaking HBO special “Eddie Murphy Delirious.”  In 1987, “Eddie Murphy Raw” was theatrically released and went on to gross over $50 million. Murphy made his feature film debut in 1982 with the classic “48 Hrs.” and would go on to star in such box-office hits as “Beverly Hills Cop” and the “The Nutty Professor” and “Shrek” franchises. All told, movies in which he has performed have earned in excess of $7 billion worldwide during their theatrical releases.

Murphy earned an Oscar nomination in 2006 for his supporting role in “Dreamgirls.”

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide. For more information about The Academy visit http://www.oscars.org


Source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Communications Department
Photo credit: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences/DreamWorks Studios

Christina Kounelias named Chief Marketing Officer for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

On Friday, July 29, 2011 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that Christina Kounelias has been named Chief Marketing Officer for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The announcement was made by Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. Ms. Kounelias will assume her new role on August 1 and will report directly to Hudson.

“As the Academy expands and fosters the achievements of the film community and its legacy, we are proud to have an executive of Christina’s caliber join us in this vital role,” said Hudson. “Christina brings a wealth of experience and a strategic perspective from working within the film community, which makes her the right person at the right time to lead our marketing initiatives and build upon the Academy’s on-going achievements.”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with an extraordinary organization,” said Kounelias. “I am so honored to be working with Dawn, Ric Robertson, Tom Sherak, and the Academy’s talented team.”


In this new position, Kounelias will oversee all planning, strategy and marketing execution of Academy initiatives including its signature Oscar telecast, the Governors Awards and year-round educational outreach and screening programs. The marketing, communications and online staff will report to her.

Kounelias joins the Academy from WB-based New Line Cinema, where she served as Executive Vice President, Marketing. She worked at the studio for 17 years and held senior posts in marketing and PR during her tenure there – highlights of which include innovative campaigns for Peter Jackson’s landmark “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Prior to New Line, Kounelias worked at Miramax Films, where she established their PR department. Additionally, she has worked on campaigns for a diverse array of films including “Sex and the City,” “Wedding Crashers,” “Hairspray,” “Little Children,” “About Schmidt,” “A History of Violence,” the “Austin Powers” and “Rush Hour” franchises, “Boogie Nights,” “Cinema Paradiso,” “My Left Foot” and “Seven.”

Kounelias has been a member of the Academy for nine years.

About The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards – in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners – the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies. For more information visit http://www.oscars.org


Source: Academy Communications Department
Photo credit to: Courtesy of AMPAS

AFI FEST 2011 presented by Audi Announced Festival Dates & Call for Entries

On Tuesday, March 29, 2011 AFI FEST presented by Audi and celebrating its 25th year in 2011 officially announced its dates and call for entries.

AFI FEST will take place November 3 through 10 in Hollywood, California at the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Mann Chinese 6 Theatres at the Hollywood & Highland Center, the Egyptian Theatre of the American Cinematheque and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The market partner of AFI FEST, the American Film Market (AFM), will be held November 2 through 9.


AFI FEST emerged in 1987 when the American Film Institute adopted FILMEX, Los Angeles’ venerated film exposition. As a program of the AFI, the festival over the past 25 years has paid tribute to numerous influential filmmakers and artists, including Pedro Almodovar, Darren Aronofsky, Danny Boyle, Catherine Deneuve, Johnny Depp and Meryl Streep, to name a few, and has screened scores of films that have produced Oscar wins, including BLACK SWAN, THE KING’S SPEECH, MONSTER’S BALL, PRECIOUS, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, TALK TO HER and WALK THE LINE.

Submissions are now open and filmmakers are invited to submit narrative, documentary, experimental, animated and short films at AFI.com/AFIFEST or through Withoutabox.com. The final submission deadline for shorts (under 30 minutes) is July 29, and the final deadline for feature length films is August 12. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards®.

Among the returning AFI FEST sections is “Breakthrough,” which highlights films found solely through the submissions process. As part of last year’s entrants in this section, I WILL FOLLOW, the feature debut from Ava Duvernay, is currently having an expanded run in the U.S. “I WILL FOLLOW made its Los Angeles premiere to a sold-out audience, thanks to AFI FEST. We couldn’t have dreamed of a more lovely way to begin our film’s journey,” said Duvernay, of her experience at the festival. In addition to providing audience exposure, the winning film in the “Breakthrough” section is eligible for a $5,000 cash award.

Filmmakers can call 1.866.AFI.FEST for more information about the submissions process.

About the American Film Institute:
AFI is America’s promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work, and to educate the next generation of storytellers. AFI provides leadership in film, television and digital media and is dedicated to initiatives that engage the past, the present and the future of the moving image arts.

AFI preserves the legacy of America’s film heritage through the AFI Catalog of Feature Films, an authoritative record of American films from 1893 to the present, and the AFI Archives, which contains rare footage from across the history of the moving image.

AFI honors the artists and their work through a variety of annual programs and special events, including the AFI Life Achievement Award and AFI Awards. For 39 years, the AFI Life Achievement Award has remained the highest honor for a career in film while AFI Awards, the Institute’s almanac for the 21st century, honors the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year. AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies television events and movie reference lists, as well as AFI Night at the Movies, have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers. And as the largest nonprofit exhibitor in the United States, AFI offers film enthusiasts a variety of events throughout the year, including AFI Fest presented by Audi, the longest running international film festival in Los Angeles; AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs, the largest documentary festival in the U.S.; and year-round programming at the AFI Silver Theatre in the Washington, D.C. area.

AFI educates the next generation of storytellers at its world-renowned AFI Conservatory, offering a two-year Master of Fine Arts degree in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. AFI also explores new digital technologies through special workshops.


About AFI FEST presented by Audi:
Celebrating its 25th year as a program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST 2011 presented by Audi will take place November 3 through 10 in the heart of Hollywood. Kicking off the awards season each year, AFI FEST offers a crucial avenue of exposure to the entertainment community, while providing appreciative audiences with a festive atmosphere and the very best of global cinema, right in the center of the film capital of the world.

The American Film Market (AFM), November 2 through 9, 2011, is the market partner of AFI FEST. Together, AFI FEST and AFM provide the only concurrent festival-market event in North America. AFI FEST is the only FIAPF-accredited film festival in the United States. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category for the annual Academy Awards®.

Audi is the festival’s presenting sponsor. Additional sponsors include American Airlines, the official airline of AFI, American Film Market (AFM) and Stella Artois.

Additional information about AFI FEST presented by Audi is available at AFI.com/AFIFEST.

Connect with AFI FEST presented by Audi at facebook.com/AFIFEST, twitter.com/AFIFEST and youtube.com/AFIFEST.

About Audi:
Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. During 2010 Audi was the top performing luxury brand in Europe, and broke all-time company sales records in the U.S. Over the next few years, AUDI AG will invest nearly $16 billion on new products and technologies. Visit audiusa.com or audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.


Sources: AFI Fest                 Display Photo: Courtesy of AFI Facebook

Editor’s Note: Last year 2010 photos: AFI Fest 2010 November 4, 2010 presented by Audi Photos (C) by Daniela Hubbard, Mark Valinsky and Diversity News Publications. (C) 2010 By Diversity News Publications. All Rights Are Reserved.

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