News Release
(OJAI, CA – February 14, 2017) Imagine it’s the 1950s and you’re going to the movies, what film would you see? Probably one of the 15 movies made by screen legend Piper Laurie, star of film, stage, and a television diva who was nominated for two Academy Awards and won a Golden Globe and an Emmy. Laurie, with over 100 credits to her name, will be appearing at the first Ojai Film Festival Special Series in conjunction with Women in Film, for An Evening with Piper Laurie, on Saturday, March 11 from 5:30 – 9:45 p.m. at the Ojai Art Center theater.
The evening will feature Women In Film’s half-hour Piper Laurie Legacy documentary, which focuses on her legendary career and her place in Hollywood history. A Q&A with the vibrant 85-year-old follows, and then a reception and screening of The Hustler (1961), for which she received four award nominations (Academy, BAFTA, Golden Laurel, and NY Film Critics Circle awards) for her role as Sarah Packard, pool hustler Paul Newman’s girlfriend.
Women In Film’s Legacy Series was created to document the personal and creative worlds of exceptional women in Hollywood whose accomplishments paved the way for new generations of women working in the film and television industries. Sponsored by Dr. Scholl Foundation and Panavision, the filmed interviews of these inspiring women – working both behind the and in front of the camera – create an enduring record of their extraordinary achievements. The Legacy films are produced by Ilene Kahn Power and directed by Linda Feferman.
After viewing the Legacy film, a question and answer session will be led by Emmy award-winning actress Sharon Lawrence of NYPD Blue, Blue Bloods and the new Netflix series, The Ranch. Following the Q&A will be a reception and then screening of The Hustler.
“I’m thrilled to launch the Ojai Film Festival Special Series with a program that showcases my varied career,” said Piper Laurie. “This event gives me a chance to connect with my fans in an intimate setting and I’m honored.”
PIPER LAURIE TO APPEAR AT
OJAI FILM FESTIVAL SPECIAL SERIES
Tickets are on sale at brownpapertickets.com and at the door. Attendees can come for a part of the evening or the full event: Legacy Film and Q&A: $12.50; Reception and The Hustler $15; Full event: $25.
Women In Film (WIF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting equal opportunities for women, encouraging creative projects by women, and expanding and enhancing portrayals of women in all forms of global media. Given that women comprise 50 percent of the population, WIF’s ultimate goal is to see the same gender parity reflected on and off screen. Founded in 1973, WIF focuses on advocacy and education— provides scholarships, grants, and film finishing funds—and works to preserve the legacies of all women working in the entertainment community.
In its 18th year, the Ojai Film Festival screens about 70 films during its 10-day run. Featuring a range of quality films from around the world, the Festival will be held November 2 -12, 2017 in Ojai, a picturesque village nestled in the California mountains about 75 miles northwest of Hollywood. The Ojai Film Festival nurtures its reputation for screening quality works, including documentaries, features, animations, narrative shorts, and student films.