The Dallas Film Society, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that celebrates films and their impact on society, has announced it will honor filmmaker Lee Daniels at the annual fall benefit event, The Art of Film. Set in the historic Hall of State in Fair Park, The Art of Film offers a rare opportunity for 350 film lovers to gather at an elegant dinner and be a part of an intimate conversation with Daniels and renowned film critic, Elvis Mitchell. The Art of Film will kick off on November 8, 2013 and culminate with a screening of one of his classic films on November 9, 2013.
From founding a health care agency to being one of the most prolific filmmakers of our time, Lee Daniels’ career has had an impact on all of our lives and touched on many emotions. The first film from Lee’s production company, MONSTER’S BALL, put him on the radar as the sole African-American producer of an Oscar®-winning and -nominated film. This was followed by THE WOODSMAN, which premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. Nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards, the film received the CICAE Arthouse Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, the Jury Prize at the Deauville International Film Festival and Special Mention for Excellence in Filmmaking from the National Board of Review. In 2006 Lee made a natural transition into directing with his debut film, SHADOWBOXER. Following the film's world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Daniels was nominated for the New Directors Award at the 2006 San Sebastian Film Festival. Daniels also produced the film TENNESSEE, which premiered at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. After his directorial debut, Lee began a special project, PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE which became one of his most notable films PRECIOUS. PRECIOUS won two Academy Awards in 2010 and Daniels was nominated as Best Director; making him the second African-American director to be nominated for an Oscar®. Daniels also received a historic nomination as the first African-American director to be nominated by the Directors Guild of America. Following up the success of PRECIOUS, Daniels next directed THE PAPERBOY starring Nicole Kidman. Daniels’ latest project, LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER, follows the life of a White House butler who served under eight different U.S. Presidents over three decades, the film stars Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Robin Williams, John Cusack, Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding, Jr. among others.
The Dallas Film Society honors individuals who have made important contributions to modern cinema and the advancement of the art of film. Lee Daniels joins a list of luminaries who have received the stunning crystal Dallas Star Award. Previous recipients have included, amongst others, Laura Linney, Frank Darabont, Helen Hunt, Adrien Brody, Lauren Bacall, Sydney Pollack, Charlize Theron, John Lee Hancock, Kathryn Bigelow, Francis Ford Coppola, Gabourey Sidibe, Marvin Hamlisch, Peter Bogdanovich, Robert Towne and the 2011 and 2012 The Art of Film Honorees, John Lithgow and Val Kilmer.
Event Chairs Kacy and Carter Tolleson will work with the Dallas Film Society to organize the event, which will help raise funds to support the Dallas Film Society’s year-round programming efforts. “The Art of Film is something I look forward to each year,” said Dallas Film Society CEO and President Lee Papert. “Beyond our continuous programs, educational opportunities and the many causes we support in the film world, this event enables the Dallas Film Society to show our appreciation for the guest stars’ work and honor them. This year we are honored to have Lee Daniels as our Dallas Star Award recipient. His career exemplifies his passion for film and is in line with our mission to champion the art of film.”
Individual tickets from $500 are available for purchase, and underwriting opportunities are available from $5,000-$40,000. The Art of Film begins with red carpet arrivals at 6:00PM, reception 6:30PM, the conversation at 7:30PM and the seated dinner at 8:30PM. Tickets for the screenings the next day are free for The Art of Film guests and members of the Dallas Film Society. Contact Jennifer Dworkin at [email protected] or call 214.720.0555 for more information.
