FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Tara C.Silver, 202.415.6253, tara@westinrinehart.com
Jessica Hoy, 202.466.7717, jessica@westinrinehart.com

Annual Distinguished Moviemaker Mentors Awards Presented by The Creative Coalition

PARK CITY, UT -- (January 20,2008) - The Creative Coalition salutes the extraordinary mentors who have played a key role in the success of independent film projects. 

Over two days of sessions at the Film Festival in Park City, The Creative Coalition will highlight both executive and artistic mentoring and the vital importance each play in creating a healthy and vibrant independent film industry.

On Sunday, January 20,2008 at 10:30am at the Wall Street Journal Café, The Creative Coalition presents, The Suits that Make it Happen, discussion and brunch. This discussion celebrates the extraordinary contribution of industry business and finance executives who have mentored independent filmmakers and nurtured their projects.

This years panelists for The Suits that Make it Happen include President of Screen Media Films Robert Baruc, Vice President of Goldman Sachs Jesse Jacobs, Partner of Lichter, Grossman, Nichols and Adler, Inc. Michael Adler, Senior VP/Publishing of the Hollywood Reporter Erik Mika, Co-Founder of Sony Pictures Classic Tom Bernard, and Senior Executive VP of Picturehouse Vicki Cherkas. 

On Monday January 21, 2008 from 12pm - 2pm at the Hollywood Life House, The Creative Coalition will award the annual Moviemaker Mentor Distinguished Service Awards.  Moviemaker Mentors are already established filmmakers who have been able to teach and inspire undiscovered artists to focus their talents towards the making of independent films.

This year's Distinguished Mentor awardees and panelists include Method Man, Dennis Hopper, Colin Firth, Morgan Spurlock, Boaz Yakin, Lukas Haas, Livia Firth, Marc Evans and William Francome."The Creative Coalition is always looking to support independent filmmakers in their mission to create meaningful art. The Suits that make it Happen and the Moviemaker Mentor Award are our way of thanking those individuals who give back to their community by fostering emerging talent," said Robin Bronk, Executive Director of The Creative Coalition. As an established leader in promoting the ongoing efforts of the entertainment industry, The Creative Coalition looks to encourage new filmmakers by providing them with experienced mentors to support their undiscovered talents.  Past recipients of Distinguished Mentor Awards who have participated in the program include actor/directors Tony Goldwyn,Chazz Palminteri, Bob Balaban and Fisher Stevens; directors Carlos Cuarón and Guillermo del Toro and actors Kerry Washington, Joe Pantoliano, Marlee Matlin, Harry Shearer, Lili Taylor and Ione Skye.           

What: 2008 Moviemaker Mentoring Session and Brunch: The Suits That Make It Happen          
When: Sunday, January 20, 2008at 10:30am
Where: The Wall Street Journal Café; 333Main Street, 2nd level, Park City, UT                      

What: Moviemaker Mentors           
When: Monday January 21, 2008 from 12pm - 2pm           
Where: Hollywood Life House; 692 Main Street, Park City, UT

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To RSVP to this event, please contact Barbara Horvath at bhorvath@thecreativecoalition.org or 212-512-5487. 

For Press inquiries or for press credentials please contact:

Tara Silver at tara@westinrinehart.com or 202-415-6253
Jessica Hoy at jessica@westinrinehart.com  or 202-466-7717 

About The Creative Coalition
The Creative Coalition (www.thecreativecoalition.org) is the leading 501 ©(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community.  Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating and mobilizing its members on issues of public importance, primarily public education, the First Amendment, arts advocacy, media literacy, destigmatizing mental illness and stemming runaway production.  Headquartered in New York City, The Creative Coalition also has offices in Washington, DC, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Creative Coalition does not endorse or raise funds for political parties or candidates.