I hope you can all join us at the Legacy Awards in Hollywood on the 24th! Ewan McGregor (“Trainspotting,” “Star Wars,” “Moulin Rouge!”) and Ellen Greene (“Pushing Daisies”) are scheduled to present awards to Bruce Cohen & NBC Universal for their work on behalf of LGBT entertainment. The awards show benefits the Outfest Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation.
This is going to be a great event – the full press release is below. Be sure to say hi to me!
Contact: Carl Larsen
Rousso/Fisher PR
p. 323.933.4646
carl @ roussofisher.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OUTFEST ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF 2008 LEGACY AWARDS
Academy Award®-Winning Producer Bruce Cohen and NBC Universal to be Honored at Gala Event at Directors Guild of America on September 24
Bruce Vilanch Tapped to Host Evening Program
Ewan McGregor and Ellen Greene to Honor Recipients
LOS ANGELES, CA – September 15, 2008—OUTFEST, the world’s leading organization dedicated to showcasing, protecting and nurturing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film imagery and artistry, will honor Academy Award®-winning producer Bruce Cohen and NBC Universal this month at the institution’s annual LEGACY AWARDS, it was announced today by Kirsten Schaffer, Interim Executive Director of Outfest The event serves as a fundraiser for the Outfest Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation, a collaboration between Outfest and the UCLA Film & Television Archive, which is the only program in the world devoted to saving and preserving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender moving images.
In making the announcement, Outfest Interim Executive Director Kirsten Schaeffer praised the contributions of both honorees to the LBGT community. “NBC Universal has been at the forefront of positive portrayals of gay and lesbian characters in their programming and as a corporate citizen, has a very active LGBT employee organization, respected throughout the company,” said Schaffer. “As a producer, philanthropist and activist, Bruce Cohen has been one of the single most influential supporters of Outfest and LBGT filmmakers.”
Outfest and the UCLA Film & Television Archive partnered in 2005 to create the Outfest Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation. The only program of its kind in the world, the Outfest Legacy Project is aimed at the growing crisis in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) moving image archiving. Many of the landmark LGBT films produced over the last 30 years are already in danger of fading away: their original exhibition prints in tatter, their negatives in woeful storage conditions, or even lost.
“The preservation of our community’s stories is crucial and as a filmmaker, I know how vital the work of the Legacy Project is in protecting years of work, projects and films for future generations,” said, Cohen. “Because of my wonderful association with Outfest over many years, this award and recognition is a tremendous honor.”
Among the various celebrity participants in the evening’s program, comedian Bruce Vilanch will host the evening’s program. Ewan McGregor will present the award to Bruce Cohen, and Ellen Greene (“Pushing Daisiesâ€) will do a special musical performance.
For information on purchasing tickets, please visit http://www.outfest.org or call 213-480-7088.
ABOUT BRUCE COHEN
Bruce Cohen is an Academy Award®-winning producer who has devoted his career to bringing entertaining, meaningful feature films and television shows to the screen, including “American Beauty,†“Pushing Daisies†and Focus Features’ soon-to-be released “Milk.†He is also a dedicated activist in the LGBT community, an active supporter of the Democratic Party, and a longtime friend of Outfest, especially the Outfest Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation.
ABOUT NBC UNIVERSAL
NBC Universal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.
ABOUT OUTFEST
Outfest is the leading organization showcasing, nurturing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film images and artistry. Since its founding in 1982, Outfest has led the charge, spotlighting emerging talent, creating community between filmmakers and audiences and offering a world-class forum for stories that reflect and often transform LGBT lives. Outfest has showcased over 4,500 films for audiences well over half a million people. The Outfest festivals, year-round screening series and special events bring together film lovers, innovative artists, celebrities and entertainment industry professionals from all communities.
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