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February 27, 2007
STEPHEN COLBERT TO BE HONORED WITH INAUGURAL PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD, FILMMAKER TRIBUTE TO ACADEMY AWARD WINNER BLAKE EDWARDS
NEW YORK, NY January 17, 2007 -- HBO and the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival (USCAF) announced today that Stephen Colbert and Blake Edwards will be honored at the 13th anniversary of the prestigious comedy festival, to be held February 28 - March 4, 2007 in Aspen, Colorado.
Emmy Award-winning comedian, actor, and writer Stephen Colbert will receive the Festival's 2007 Person of the Year Award. A new addition to the USCAF, this tongue-in-cheek award recognizes a comedian, artist or character whom the Festival feels is the most important contributor to life in America in the past year, having exhibited such great accomplishment that they have affected or made history.
"I am humbled to be part of the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival's tireless efforts to bring joy to the wealthy," said Stephen Colbert.
Film-director, screenwriter and producer Blake Edwards will be honored with the USCAF Filmmaker Tribute in an event that traces his work from Breakfast at Tiffany's and 10 to S.O.B. and the Pink Panther film series.
Previously announced, the first-ever The Pinnacle Award will be presented to Don Rickles in recognition of his achievement in comedy for over 50 years.
"As the Festival reaches its 13th year, we are continually looking at how we can freshen our approach toward our mission of discovery, innovation and tribute," said Bob Crestani, CEO of the USCAF. "While it is important to continue honoring film icons like Blake Edwards, we have created these new awards to bring attention to comedy milestones, which Don Rickles is celebrating, as well as to having a sense of humor about our business, by presenting Stephen Colbert with the 2007 Person of the Year Award."
Ana Marie Cox, Washington editor for TIME.com and founding editor of The Wonkette and Marc Maron, stand-up comic and former co-host of Air America's Morning Sedition will co-host The Gaggle. This smart, funny, provocative opinion show brings the freewheeling approach of ESPN-style sports talk to politics and pop culture, with user-generated video commentary and topics to drive the debate. Panelists and guests will be announced soon.
Also new to this year's festival, Funny Picture Show is the USCAF Film Program's online initiative for the very best in comedic short film content. It showcases comedic shorts from around the world and encourages viewers to participate in The Screening Room, a section of the site to rate, review, and truly be responsible for what gets programmed. Grand prizes for filmmakers and screening committee members will include meetings with HBO Films and USCAF Film Programming executives. Submissions can be made at www.funnypictureshow.com beginning January 17, 2007 through March 1, 2007.
2007 Person of the Year Award: Stephen Colbert Stephen Colbert is a three-time Emmy Award-winning comedian, actor, and writer, known for his satirical style and deadpan comedic delivery. Colbert's debut of The Colbert Report in 2005 was successful, and the news-parody show has established itself as one of Comedy Central's highest rated series. Colbert was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in 2006.
USCAF Filmmaker Tribute: Blake Edwards Academy Award winner, Blake Edwards is a film director, screenwriter, and producer whose remarkable body of work includes 49 feature films as well as two hit television shows. In a career that spans six decades, his diverse film classics include 10, S.O.B., Days of Wine and Roses, Victor/Victoria and Breakfast at Tiffany's as well as his best-loved comedies like The Great Race, Blind Date, and most famously, the Pink Panther film series. Not satisfied with just film, Edwards created the successful radio program Richard Diamond, Private Detective and several stylish TV series, including the popular Peter Gunn and Mr. Lucky. Mr. Edwards' numerous awards include Lifetime Achievement Awards from the WGA (Laurel Award) and DGA (Preston Sturges Award), the distinguished French Legion of Honor, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for cumulative achievements over the course of his career in 2004.
Previously announced programming for the upcoming USCAF includes Entourage: Behind the Scenes with cast Kevin Connolly, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara, and Jeremy Piven, executive producer and creator Doug Ellin and executive producer Stephen Levinson; The Rickles Project, a John Landis documentary based on the legendary Don Rickles; a special screening of FOX’s The Winner with Rob Corddry; performances by George Carlin, Steven Wright and Katt Williams; Panels including Blogging: Buzz vs. Biz with Mark Lisanti (Defamer.com), Harvey Levin (TMZ.com) and Jessica Coen (formerly Gawker.com and now Vanity Fair.com); Film Program Guest Directors Bill and Stella Pence presenting the Alloy Orchestra and a Chuck Jones Retrospective; Fireside Chats with Peter Rice, Bob Berney and Daniel Battsek; stand-up, sketch and alternative line-up including Lavell Crawford; Web-based show Broadband Theater and storytelling group The Moth.
For more information HBO and the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival (USCAF) go to www.stayaspensnowmass.com
Posted by Dina at February 27, 2007 10:26 AM
