October 11, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Leslie Unger - (310) 247-3000

                         lunger@oscars.org

Beverly Hills, CA - Multi-hyphenate filmmaker Jim Jarmusch will speak next week to students at the University of Texas, Austin. His visit is sponsored by the Visiting Artists Program of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Jarmusch also will curate a program of short films in the "Big Directors/Small Films" series at the Cinematexas Short Film + Video Festival, which takes place in Austin October 18 through 22.

A member of the directors branch of the Academy, Jarmusch produced, wrote and directed "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai." He has directed 11, written eight and produced four other films. In addition, he has acted in 21 films and served as cinematographer and film editor on three, as well as composer sound recordist on two.

The Visiting Artists Program was started by the Academy in 1970 to provide an important link between the academic study of film and filmmaking and the men and women who make movies. Through the program, members of the Academy's various branches share their expertise in classrooms, festivals, conferences and other film-related events.