December 19, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  John Pavlik - (310) 247-3000

Beverly Hills, CA - Academy Vice President Sid Ganis will chair the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' post-awards dinner-dance, the Governors Ball, for the sixth straight year.

The dinner for winners, nominees, presenters and participants of the 73rd Academy Awards^® Presentation will immediately follow the annual Awards telecast on Sunday, March 25, 2001.

Again joining Ganis is lyricist Alan Bergman, who has been appointed vice-chair and will work closely with Ganis to create the look and mood of the 2001 Ball. Bergman served as chair of the Governors Ball from 1992 through 1995 and has been vice-chair of the last five balls.

"As usual we will try to present the most elegant, the most relaxed and the most fun party of the evening - a fitting companion piece to Hollywood's big night," said Ganis.

Ganis produced the 1999 box office hit "Big Daddy," starring Adam Sandler, for his company, Out of the Blue...Entertainment and Columbia Pictures. He represents the public relations branch on the Academy's Board of Governors.

Prior to the establishment of Out of the Blue...Entertainment, which is housed on the Sony lot, Ganis served in various capacities at Sony, culminating as president of worldwide marketing for the Columbia/Tri-Star Motion Picture Companies.

The Governors Ball will be held at the Shrine Exposition Center immediately adjacent to the Shrine Auditorium, where the 73rd Academy Awards telecast will originate on the ABC Television Network, beginning at 5 p.m. (PST), with a half-hour arrivals segment preceding the presentation ceremony.