Film Arts Foundation announces 30th Anniversary Celebration November 8, 2006

Film Arts Foundation Launches its 30th Anniversary Milestone with a
Celebration at the Castro Theatre on November 8, 2006

1 October 2006, San Francisco, CA: Film Arts Foundation presents its 30th Anniversary Celebration – a fundraising birthday bash marking three decades supporting the diverse voices of the independent film community on the West Coast and nationally. Chairing the Celebration’s Host Committee is Academy Award nominated filmmaker Lourdes Portillo and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is Chairing the event’s Honorary Committee. Both Committees include a veritable ‘who’s who’ of Bay Area film, from prominent award winning filmmakers to business and political leaders, arts patrons and film enthusiasts including: filmmakers Philip Kaufman, George Kuchar, Walter Murch, Terry Zwigoff, Sofia Coppola, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Sam Green, Kevin Epps, Irving Saraf and Allie Light as well as actor Danny Glover, CEO of Chronicle Books Nion McEvoy, entrepreneur Maurice Kanbar, CEO of Current TV Joel Hyatt, and Stefanie Coyote, Executive Director of San Francisco’s Film Commission. “This exciting, multi-faceted event serves as an inclusive celebration for not only our generous donors and supportive membership but also the entire Bay Area indie film-loving community as we celebrate our 30th year of serving as a catalyst and advocate for independent film. We look forward to seeing our members and supporters at the event and also solicit their participation as we unveil new initiatives enabling media artists to more easily finance, exhibit, and widely distribute their work,” says Steven Ramirez, the Film Arts Foundation President and Board Chair. “We also want to thank one of our lead event sponsors, Jaman, a new company building ‘the premier online network for the distribution of world cinema,’” adds Ramirez.

The Celebration begins with a Pre-Program Donor Reception at San Francisco’s historic movie house, The Castro Theatre (429 Castro Street). Local jazz legend Marcus Shelby and The Marcus Shelby Trio will be entertaining guests while they feast on authentic, rustic regional Spanish tapas and drink artisan microbrews from catering sponsor Thirsty Bear Brewery & Spanish Cuisine.

Tickets start at just $15 for the Screenings Program emceed by celebrated actor and activist Peter Coyote and award winning Bay Area filmmaker Nancy Kelly. The program includes a surprise work-in-progress screening as well as the best of Film Arts Members’ One Minute Films with audience members given the opportunity to vote for their favorite film. The filmmaker whose film is voted “Audience Favorite” will be awarded a Filmmaker Prize Package which includes: film from Kodak, processing and transfer from Monaco Labs, three eight-hour sessions in the Pro Tools Suite at Film Arts Foundation and one four-hour screening of the completed work in the Ninth Street Independent Film Center’s Screening Room. Another highlight of the evening will be an exciting Sundance Film Festival Grand Prize raffle drawing awarding one lucky winner travel, accommodations and passes for two to the 2007 Festival in Park City, Utah.

The Anniversary celebration culminates across the street with a festive After Party at neighborhood hot-spot Nirvana. Nirvana’s exotic décor, lush, heated patio garden, inventive cocktail specials and Asian Fusion cuisine will set the party scene for event-goers who continue the revelry from 10 p.m. to midnight.
Tickets to the Pre-Program Donor Reception + Screening Program + After Party, start at $75. The evening’s Screening Program and After-Party with no-host bar, begin at 8:00 pm and tickets for this portion of the night are only $15. All proceeds of the event go to support Film Arts Foundation’s comprehensive education and resource services for independent artists. For more ticket and event details, or to purchase tickets, please contact Film Arts Foundation at 415-552-FILM or visit www.filmarts.org/30years.

More about Film Arts Foundation:
Film Arts Foundation seeks to support the creation and success of independent film and video makers, and has served as a catalyst and advocate for the diverse voices of the independent film community both on the West Coast and nationally since 1976. Among the largest regional organizations of independent filmmakers in the country, Film Arts offers its members a comprehensive education program, a wide range of information resources, including the award-winning magazine Release Print, access to low cost production and post-production equipment, screenings and exhibition opportunities, as well as fiscal sponsorship and grants funding.

For print-quality photos or more information, please contact Simone Nelson at 415/552-8760 x318 or simone@filmarts.org

CALENDAR LISTING

WHO: The Film Arts Foundation

WHAT: Film Arts Foundation’s 30th Anniversary Celebration

WHEN: Wednesday, November 8, 2006
6:30-8:00 pm – Donor Reception in The Castro’s Mezzanine Lobby
8:00 pm – Screenings Program in the Castro Theatre
10:00 pm – After-Party across the street at Nirvana Restaurant

WHERE: The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, San Francisco and
Nirvana, 544 Castro Street, San Francisco

HOW MUCH: Tickets for the Donor Reception+Screening Program+After Party admission start at $75 per person.
Tickets to the Screenings Program+After Party admission are only $15.
Sundance Film Festival Prize Package Raffle Tickets are $5 each.

TICKETS: in person at Film Arts Foundation, 145 Ninth Street, San Francisco, by phone at 415-552-FILM or through the web at www.filmarts.org/30years

WEB: www.filmarts.org/30years

Official Website: http://www.filmarts.org