Apr 16, 2010
SFFILM
The San Francisco Film Society will honor three extraordinary guests at its annual Film Society Awards Night (FSAN) during the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival (April 22 – May 6). The gala is the Film Society’s premier fundraising event, with proceeds benefiting the Film Society’s Youth Education program. FSAN will be held at the Westin St. Francis at 6:00 pm Thursday, April 29.
The guests of honor at FSAN will be the recipients of three Festival awards: Walter Salles, will receive the Founder’s Directing Award; Robert Duvall, will receive the Peter J. Owens Award for acting; and James Schamus, will receive the Kanbar Award for excellence in screenwriting. Carla Emil and Rich Silverstein are chairs of this year’s Film Society Awards Night, and Penelope Wong and Timothy Kochis are the honorary chairs.
Founder’s Directing Award: Walter Salles
The Founder’s Directing Award is presented each year to one of the masters of world cinema and is given in memory of Irving M. Levin, who founded the San Francisco International Film Festival, the longest-running film festival in the Americas, in 1957. Recent recipients include Francis Ford Coppola (2009), Mike Leigh (2008), Spike Lee (2007) and Werner Herzog (2006). Filmmaker Roman Coppola will present the award to Salles.
Peter J. Owens Award: Robert Duvall
The Peter J. Owens Award, named after the late local cultural benefactor and longtime Film Society board member, honors an actor whose work exemplifies brilliance, independence and integrity. Duvall’s longtime friend, actor James Caan, will present the award.
Kanbar Award: James Schamus
The Kanbar Award acknowledges the critical importance that screenwriting plays in the creation of outstanding films. It is named in honor of Maurice Kanbar, a longtime member of the board of directors of the Film Society, a San Francisco film commissioner and a philanthropist with a particular interest in supporting independent filmmakers. Filmmaker and artist John Waters will present the award to Schamus.
About San Francisco Film Society Youth Education
Since its origins as the annual Schools at the Festival program in 1991, SFFS Youth Education has touched the lives of more than 55,000 children, teachers and community leaders through film screenings, interactive discussions, filmmaker school visits, multimedia presentations, curriculum support, study guides, teacher trainings and youth media instruction and exhibition. A year-round program since 2005, Youth Education now serves up to 10,000 students and teachers each year.
For tickets and information for Film Society Awards Night only, call 415-561-5005.
For photos and press materials visit sffs.org/pressdownloads.