May 29, 2002
Los Angeles, CA — Martin Scorsese, Chair of the 'newly' established The Film Foundation, Inc., announced today the consolidation of two non-profit organizations, The Artists Rights Foundation and The Film Foundation, under the umbrella of the Directors Guild of America.
This new entity will continue to raise awareness and funds for film preservation, as well as champion the rights of filmmakers. In addition, the foundation will educate the public about the importance of preserving and protecting film through national educational programs and outreach campaigns.
"In the decade or so since The Film Foundation and The Artists Rights Foundation were created, there has been a tremendous increase in awareness of these issues both in the industry and the public at large," said Martin Scorsese. "With this consolidation, and the support of the DGA, we're increasing our resources and strengthening our ability to protect and preserve film art. After all, the first right of any artist is to have his or her work survive."
Scorsese will be joined on the board of directors by prominent filmmakers Woody Allen, Robert Altman, Francis Ford Coppola, Clint Eastwood, George Lucas, Sydney Pollack, Robert Redford, and Steven Spielberg, each of whom, working separately and together, has a record of commitment to the social, aesthetic, and cultural dimensions of motion picture.
In addition, Martha Coolidge, President of the Directors Guild of America, and Gil Cates, Secretary-Treasurer of the Directors Guild of America, will serve in the same capacity to The Film Foundation, Inc.
"The Directors Guild of America has always been an ardent supporter of both organizations. We are pleased to join Marty and The Film Foundation in actively pursuing ways to promote the protection and preservation of film," said Coolidge. "By creating an Artists Rights Education and Legal Defense Fund council, we can ensure that the issue of film protection is a part of our ongoing commitment to artists rights."
The Artists Rights Education and Legal Defense Fund has been created as an advisory committee to provide the 'newly' established organization with guidance on all issues relating to the protection and expansion of artists rights. Governors of the council will include, amongst others, Tom Cruise, Milos Forman, John Frankenheimer, Taylor Hackford, Dustin Hoffman, Anjelica Huston, Bruce Ramer and Ken Ziffren. Elliot Silverstein will serve as Chair.
"Artists Rights is absolutely essential to the survival of the integrity of the medium of filmmakers. It protects and acknowledges their basic rights as authors," said Silverstein. "With the joining of these organizations, the opportunity is greater in spreading the message of the importance to protect an artist's vision and preserve motion picture history."
The foundation will continue to support film preservation projects nationwide through its annual funding of its seven member institutions, including five major archives: Academy Film Archive, George Eastman House, Library of Congress, Museum of Modern Art, and the UCLA Film and Television Archives, and two affiliated grantmaking organizations: the National Center for Film and Video Preservation at the AFI, and the National Film Preservation Foundation. Robert Rosen, Dean of the UCLA Theater, Film and Television, will continue to serve as Chair of the Archivists Advisory Council.
"The directors on the board have been in the vanguard of advocacy for film protection and preservation," explains Rosen. "The fact that they are now joined by the DGA -- representing the broader community of film directors -- is proof of the success we've had in making the industry aware of the importance of this issue and how essential it is to the filmmaking process."
Raffaele Donato, Founding Executive, will carry on The Film Foundation's work with Margaret Bodde and Kathy Garmezy serving as Co-Executive Directors.
For more information contact:
- Kathy Garmezy in Los Angeles at (323) 436-5060 and/or
- Margaret Bodde in New York at (212) 906-8862