October 13, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Teni Melidonian — (310) 247-3000
                            tmelidonian@oscars.org

Harold Ramis To Austin
as Academy Visiting Artist

Beverly Hills, CA — Director and screenwriter Harold Ramis will head to Texas on Thursday, October 20, to participate in the Austin Film Festival and Screenwriters Conference as part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Visiting Artists Program.

Ramis, a member of the Academy's director's branch, will join industry professionals at the Screenwriters Conference from October 20 to 23. The conference will feature more than 65 panels, roundtables and craft sessions, including a presentation by Greg Beal, the coordinator for the Academy's Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting program.

Festival-goers also will have the opportunity to attend an advance screening of "Ice Harvest" (not a festival contender), Ramis' new film scheduled for release in November, and see a retrospective showing of his 1984 comedy, "Ghostbusters."

Beginning his career as a writer and performer on the "Second City TV" series in the 1970s, Ramis directed his first film, "Caddyshack," in 1980. His filmography includes screenwriting and directing credits for "Animal House," "Back to School," "Groundhog Day," "Multiplicity," "Analyze This," and "Analyze That."

While in Austin, Ramis will be honored with the 2005 Distinguished Screenwriter Award at the festival's awards luncheon on October 22.

The Academy's Visiting Artists Program was established in 1970 to provide a link between the academic study of film and filmmaking and the industry's leading professionals. Through grants made available to institutions, Academy members share their expertise in classrooms, festivals, conferences and other film-related events throughout the U.S. and internationally.

For more information on the Visiting Artists Program, contact the Academy's Educational Programs and Special Events department at 310-274-3000 ext. 111 or visit http://www.oscars.org/foundation.

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