PRESS RELEASE
New York, NY, July 27, 2017 – Spotlight Cinema Networks announced today that it has partnered with the nonprofit Salt Lake Film Society (SLFS) to launch the Art House Public Service Announcement Project. The Project features legendary film artists promoting the value of independent cinema, art houses and local screens in spots about one minute in length.
The goal of the Project is to create a deeper national appreciation for the value of art house cinemas by producing two to four pre-show PSA’s a year that feature artists working in film. Currently, the PSA’s are being screened in more than 150 theatres in 26 states.
Thanks to the generous sponsorship by Autograph Collection Hotels, the first spot features director, actor, writer and film historian Peter Bogdanovich. With a theme of “Keep Film Big,” the legendary director is shown sitting in an art house cinema watching his acclaimed film “The Last Picture Show.” “Nothing beats seeing a film on the big screen,” he says. “So thank you for supporting your local art house theatre.”
For fall, the spot uses the theme “Keep Film Colorful” with documentary and feature director, Penelope Spheeris, famous for her “The Decline of Western Civilization” series of films. “In my film career, I’ve always been attracted to the misfits, the weirdoes and the outcasts,” says Spheeris.” “So conventional theatres don’t really show my work. My films get shown in art houses like this one. In theatres like this you’ll see movies that you’ll probably see nowhere else. Thank you for supporting independent cinema.”
“Spotlight actively seeks ways to nurture and sustain the art house community,” said Jerry Rakfeldt, CEO, Spotlight Cinema Networks. “This project aligns with that goal and showcases the value of independent cinema and local screens. It also stresses the importance and joy of seeing films in actual movie theatres with a community of like-minded film aficionados.”
“We always intended to launch this project with Spotlight at our side,” Said Tori A. Baker, Executive Director of the Salt Lake Film Society. “We knew that in order to leverage film artists voices, and articulate our value on this scale, we were creating something special with potential for deep impact. That takes having a collaborator who understands art houses and has a vested interest in our successes nationwide.”
“Autograph Collection Hotels is proud to be the first sponsor of this important series of PSA’s that champions the value and importance of independent cinema and art houses,” said Amanda Altree, senior director, global marketing, Autograph Collection Hotels. “Spotlight and SLFS share our commitment to independent film, making it possible for more of us to experience these remarkable stories from legendary artists. That’s why it’s a natural fit for us to work together in support of the vibrant art house community.”
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