November 17, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Leslie Unger - (310) 247-3000
                       lunger@oscars.org

Beverly Hills, CA — "The Collector of Bedford Street," which earned an Academy Award^® nomination in 2002, and "Imagining Robert" will be screened for the December 3 installment of the Contemporary Documentary Series, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy Foundation and the UCLA Film and Television Archive. The screening will begin at 7:30 p.m. in UCLA's James Bridges Theater.

Directed and produced by Alice Elliott, "The Collector of Bedford Street" focuses on Larrry Selman, a 60-year-old mentally retarded man who, despite the risk of falling into poverty himself, raises thousands of dollars for charity. The film follows the journey of this man as he moves toward greater self-realization and independence.

"Imagining Robert" is the story of two brothers: one who has suffered from mental illness since experiencing his first episode of schizophrenia as a college freshman; the other a prize-winning novelist who has been his brother's primary caretaker for the ensuing thirty-eight years. Directed and produced by Lawrence Hott, the film reveals how the impact of chronic mental illness in a family can play out across decades, if not entire lives. The filmmaker will be present for discussion with the audience.

Admission to all screenings in the series is free. The James Bridges Theater is located in Westwood on the northeast corner o the UCLA campus, near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Hilgard Avenue. Parking is available for $7 in Lot 3, adjacent to the theater. For more information, call 310-247-3600 or 310-206-FILM.

Editors: Please note that downloadable photos from this film are available at http://photos.oscars.org .