Free Screenings of 81st Academy Award Nominees
Press Release · Friday, December 19, 2008

Press Release
December 19, 2008

Free Screenings of 81st Academy Award® Nominees at the National Archives

Highlighting Four Categories February 18-22, 2009

Washington, DC…The National Archives will host the fifth annual free screenings of Academy Award® nominees in four categories - Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, Live Action Short Film, and Animated Short Film - at the William G. McGowan Theater from Wednesday, February 18, through Sunday, February 22, 2009. The screenings are presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in partnership with The Charles Guggenheim Center for the Documentary Film and the Foundation for the National Archives.

The screenings will be introduced by distinguished members of the Washington, DC, film community. Film titles and available ratings will be posted at www.archives.gov once the nominees are announced on January 22, 2009. Please note that some films may not be appropriate for general audiences.

The William G. McGowan Theater is located in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC. Metro accessible on Yellow or Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial station. The public should use the Special Event entrance on Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW.

Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations will be accepted. Free tickets will be distributed (at the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue) beginning 60 minutes prior to start time. You must be present to receive a ticket. Theater doors will open 30 minutes prior to start time. The saving of seats is strictly prohibited.

Beginning February 13, National Geographic will present the five films nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Screenings will be held at the Gilbert H. Grosvenor Auditorium at the organization’s headquarters building. Visit www.nglive.org for more information.

Screening Schedule (Subject to print availability)

Documentary Feature Nominees
Wednesday, February 18, at 7 p.m.
Thursday, February 19, at 7 p.m.
Friday, February 20, at 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 21, at 7 p.m.
Sunday, February 22, at 4 p.m.

Live Action Short Film Nominees
Saturday, February 21, at noon

Animated Short Film Nominees
Saturday, February 21, at 3:30 p.m.

Documentary Short Subject Nominees
Sunday, February 22, at noon

Note: Screenings on Sunday, February 22, will conclude prior to 8 p.m., when the 81st Academy Awards will be broadcast live on the ABC Television Network.

The Charles Guggenheim Center for the Documentary Film at the National Archives was established in 2004 in honor of four-time Oscar® winner and past president of the Foundation for the National Archives Charles Guggenheim. The Center’s mission is to advance public understanding of the process, challenges, and social impact of documentary filmmaking and to promote the education of young people and professionals. The Center is both a living legacy of an internationally acclaimed producer and director and an extension of America's premier resource for documentary film research. Charles Guggenheim’s Oscar for the 1964 film, Nine From Little Rock, one of four he was awarded during his career, is on permanent display outside the National Archives’ William G. McGowan Theater.

Foundation for the National Archives

The Foundation for the National Archives is a non-profit organization committed to creating public awareness of the importance of the National Archives as a vital resource in the American democracy. The Foundation was created in 1992 to support the Archivist of the United States in developing programs, technology, projects, and materials that introduce and interpret the Archives' collection for the American people and for people around the world. The National Archives Experience is made possible by a public/private partnership between the National Archives and Records Administration and the Foundation for the National Archives, which is working as the private sector partner to support the creation of these new exhibitions and educational programs and resources. The Foundation is generating financial and creative support from individuals and corporations to provide this extensive outreach, which has not been mandated by Congress.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world's preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards - in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners - the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.

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For more information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at 202-357-5300.

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