FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: November 27, 2002 Contact: Margot Gerber Tel: (323) 461-2020, ext. 115 PHILADELPHIA CO-STAR TOM HANKS TO PRESENT THE 17TH AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE AWARD TO DENZEL WASHINGTON AT GALA TRIBUTE ON DECEMBER 6 AT THE BEVERLY HILTON HOTEL Jamie Foxx to Host Show AMC to Broadcast Show in March 2003 Hollywood - Denzel Washington's PHILADELPHIA co-star Tom Hanks will present him with the 17th American Cinematheque Award at the Cinematheque's annual benefit gala, American Cinematheque co-chairmen Peter Dekom and Mike Medavoy announced today. The presentation takes place Friday, December 6, 2002 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel's International Ballroom in Beverly Hills. Jamie Foxx will host the show. Confirmed to participate in the show to date are: Academy Award Winner Halle Berry; Oscar nominee Angela Bassett (MALCOLM X), Cedric "The Entertainer," Robert Downey, Jr., Ethan Hawke, Michael Keaton and Keanu Reeves. Other in person presenters will be announced as they are confirmed. Scheduled to send taped messages that will be shown during the event, are: Mel Gibson, Spike Lee and Bruce Willis. "Denzel's career has been exemplary; encompassing every genre from drama to comedy, film noir to action, science fiction to Shakespeare, horror to history, and demonstrating enormous taste and respect for the art with roles that show a remarkable versatility from powerful leaders to slaves, authority figures to law-breakers, and beyond," said the co-chairmen. "And while Denzel has been much honored for his individual accomplishments, the American Cinematheque Award is for his entire body of work: acknowledging all that has gone before and yet anticipating what is still to come. We are looking forward to a wonderful evening honoring this extraordinary artist." The award show is produced by Robert Dalrymple and Paul Flattery. Executive Producer for AMC is Nancy McKenna. Page 2 - American Cinematheque Award Washington was the unanimous choice of the Cinematheque Board of Directors selection committee, which since 1986, has annually honored an extraordinary artist (actor, director or writer) in the entertainment industry, who is fully engaged in his or her work and is committed to making a significant contribution to the art of the motion picture. Eddie Murphy received the first American Cinematheque Award in 1986. Previous honorees (1990); Martin Scorsese (1991); Sean Connery (1992); Michael Douglas (1993); Rob Reiner (1994); Mel Gibson (1995); Tom Cruise (1996); John Travolta (1997); Arnold Schwarzenegger (1998); Jodie Foster (1999); Bruce Willis (2000) and Nicolas Cage (2001). Twelve hundred entertainment industry notables are expected to attend the Tribute. This annual event is the American Cinematheque's largest benefit, providing funds for the non-profit film exhibition organization's programs throughout the year and operation of the historic landmark Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. Tickets to the Cinematheque Tribute, an elegant black-tie dinner followed by a multi-media award show start at $500. Call Corrine Mann at 323.314.7000. Please note that this event was formerly known as the Moving Picture Ball. Established in 1981, the American Cinematheque is a non-profit viewer-supported film exhibition and cultural organization dedicated to the celebration of the Moving Picture in all of its forms. At Egyptian Theatre, the Cinematheque presents daily film and video programming which ranges from the classics of American and international cinema to new independent films and digital work. Exhibition of rare works, special and rare prints, etc., combined with fascinating post-screening discussions with the filmmakers who created the work, are a Cinematheque tradition that keep audiences coming back for once-in-a-lifetime cinema experiences. The American Cinematheque renovated and reopened (on December 4, 1998) the historic 1922 Hollywood Egyptian Theatre. This includes a state-of-the-art 616-seat theatre housed within Sid Grauman's first grand movie palace on Hollywood Boulevard. The exotic courtyard is fully restored to its 1922 grandeur. The Egyptian was the home of the very first Hollywood movie premiere in 1922. Press Credentials are closed except for local news crews. For press credentials send a fax on letterhead from your outlet (indicating that you have a specific assignment and when the coverage will air/appear in print), to Margot Gerber at 323 461 9737 by Friday, November 15, 2002. For details see: http://americancinematheque.com/pressreleases/2001/credentialrqst.htm ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Alan Nierob/Rogers & Cowan (representing Denzel Washington) (310) 201-8839 Fenot Tekle AMC (310) 998-9308 # # #