December 1, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Leslie Unger - (310) 247-3000

Beverly Hills, CA - Alec Lorimore, producer, MacGillivray Freeman Films, and producer Mary C. Schaffer have been named co-chairs of the fourth International Documentary Congress (IDC4), which will be convened in 2002 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the International Documentary Association.

A planning committee of Academy and IDA members has been appointed by the two organizations. In addition to Lorimore, who represents the Academy, and Schaffer, who represents IDA, the committee includes director Michael Apted; Jacoba Atlas, PBS; writer-director Bill Couturie; and Rick Trank, Moriah Films.

IDC4 will be held at the Academy's Beverly Hills headquarters from Monday, August 18, through Wednesday, August 21, 2002.

The most recent International Documentary Congress was held in October, 1998; the first was held in 1992 and the second in 1995. The 1998 congress attracted over 3,000 filmmakers, students and non-fiction film enthusiasts from 15 countries.

IDA Programs and Festival Administrator Melissa Disharoon will act as liaison for the IDA and Academy Program Coordinator Alison Trope will serve on behalf of the Academy.