FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For further Information Contact:

Margot Gerber 323.461.9798

April 12, 1999

THE AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE ANNOUNCES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNIVERSAL

STUDIOS HITCHCOCK INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORS SERIES

Featuring the Absolut New Filmmaker Showcase

Hollywood – The American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre announced today, the establishment of the annual Universal Studios Hitchcock

International Directors Series, which will premiere in July 1999. Acclaimed, contemporary directors from around the world, will appear in-person at the

Egyptian to present one of their films. Filmmakers representing Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Latin America and North America will be invited

to participate in this unique week-long series. Up-and-coming international directors’ work will be highlighted in the Absout New Filmmaker Showcase

portion of the series.

In making the announcement, American Cinematheque Director, Barbara Smith, said, "We are pleased to be able to collaborate with Universal Studios,

United Airlines and Absolut Vodka to honor the Alfred Hitchcock Centennial in a manner that truly embraces filmmaking globally. I can’t think of a

better place to celebrate the best of international cinema, than at the historic 1922 Egyptian Theatre in the heart of Hollywood, the film capital

of the world.

Established in 1984, the American Cinematheque, is a non-profit, viewer-supported film exhibition and cultural organization dedicated to the

celebration of the Moving Picture in all its forms. The Cinematheque presents film and video programming which ranges from the classics and world

cinemas to the outer frontiers of the art form at the Egyptian Theatre. Exhibition of rare works, special prints within our series, 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 re-opened (on December 4, 1998), the historic 1922 Egyptian Theater on

Hollywood Boulevard as a permanent home. This is a state-of-the-art, 618-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.

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American Cinematheque

1800 North Highland Avenue, Suite 717, Hollywood, CA 90028