Watch Robert Downey Jr. LIVE on the Red Carpet Friday!



Join us on the Red Carpet on Friday, October 14 around 6:30 PM (PDT) to watch the arrivals to the presentation of the 25th Annual American Cinematheque Award to Robert Downey Jr. We're expecting Jack Black, Jodie Foster, Jared Harris, Guy Ritchie, Anthony Michael Hall, the Sr. Robert Downey and more stars!

Do you have a question for Robert Downey Jr.? Post it here. Your question may be chosen to ask live on the red carpet this Friday!

We know it doesn't look like much right now, but the player will go live on Friday! So stay tuned!

Robert Downey Jr.'s friends, co-stars and family will celebrate his career with their memories of working with him and clips of his movies, plus, the live audience will get a sneak peek at upcoming films SHERLOCK HOLMES 2: A GAME OF SHADOWS and THE AVENGERS!

The event is a fundraiser for the American Cinematheque. Funds raised keep movies rolling on the big screen as they were meant to be seen, all year long. Viewing the red carpet arrivals on Ustream help to raise additional funds for the Cinematheque. Just click to view on the player above when it goes live or use this link




Robert Downey Jr. To Receive American Cinematheque 2011 Award

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. WILL RECEIVE THE 25th AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE AWARD

AT THE BEVERLY HILTON HOTEL AT GALA TRIBUTE ON OCTOBER 14th

Join our Facebook page for the event for updates and to talk about Robert Downey Jr.!

The 25th American Cinematheque Award will be presented to two-time Academy Award® nominee Robert Downey Jr. at the Cinematheque’s annual benefit gala, American Cinematheque Board chairman Rick Nicita announced today. The presentation takes place Friday, October 14, 2011 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel’s International Ballroom in Beverly Hills.

"The American Cinematheque is extremely pleased to honor Robert Downey Jr. .as the 25th recipient of the American Cinematheque award at our celebration this year," said Rick Nicita. "The pleasure that we receive from his charismatic and nuanced performances is matched only by the respect that he has earned for his personal and professional journey. The wide range of his talent has kept us enthralled in movies from a biopic like "Chaplin" to outrageous comedies like "Tropic Thunder" to franchises like "Sherlock Holmes" and, of course, "Iron Man." While we have been enjoying him for years, it seems that he’s just getting started all over again. The Cinematheque is thrilled to mark this milestone in the flourishing career of Robert Downey Jr."

Downey was the unanimous choice of the Cinematheque Board of Directors selection committee, which since 1986, has annually honored an extraordinary artist (actor, director or writer) in the entertainment industry, who is fully engaged in his or her work and is committed to making a significant contribution to the art of the motion picture.

The executive producers of the show are Paul Flattery, Barbara Smith and Michael Dempsey. Irene Crinita is the producer and Kelly Brock co-producer. Corrinne Mann is the benefit producer. Co-chairs and presenters of the event will be announced as they are confirmed

ROBERT DOWNEY JR., a two-time Academy Award® nominee, earned his most recent Oscar® nomination, for Best Supporting Actor, for his work in Ben Stiller’s comedy hit "Tropic Thunder." His performance as Kirk Lazarus, a white Australian actor playing a black American character, also brought him Golden Globe, BAFTA Award and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award® nominations. Downey was honored with his first Oscar® nomination, in the category of Best Actor, for his portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in Richard Attenborough’s acclaimed 1992 biopic "Chaplin," for which he also won BAFTA Award and London Film Critics Awards and received a Golden Globe Award nomination.

In early 2010, Downey received another Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the title role of the 2009 hit "Sherlock Holmes," under the direction of Guy Ritchie. Downey has once again teamed up with Ritchie and co-star Jude Law to return to the role of the legendary detective in the sequel "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," currently slated for release in December 2011.

Downey starred alongside Zach Galifianakis in Todd Phillips’ "Due Date" released in late 2010. In the Warner Bros. film, Downey played the role of an expectant father on a road trip racing to get back in time for the birth of his first child.

Additionally in 2010, Downey and his producer/wife, Susan Downey, launched production company, Team Downey, which has a first look deal with Warner Bros.

Downey was honored by Time Magazine’s "Time 100" in 2008, an annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

In summer 2008, Downey received praise from critics and audiences for his performance in the title role of the blockbuster hit "Iron Man," under the direction of Jon Favreau. Bringing the Marvel Comics superhero to the big screen, "Iron Man" earned more than $585 million worldwide, making it one of the year’s biggest hits. Downey reprised his role in the successful sequel, which was released in Spring 2010. He returns to the role in Josh Whedon’s upcoming actioner "The Avengers," which teams Iron Man with other Marvel Comics superheroes.

Downey’s other recent films include "The Soloist," opposite Jamie Foxx; "Charlie Bartlett;" David Fincher’s "Zodiac," alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo; Richard Linklater’s "A Scanner Darkly," with Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder and Woody Harrelson; "Fur," opposite Nicole Kidman in a film inspired by the life of revered photographer Diane Arbus; and "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang." He also shared in a SAG Award® nomination as a member of the ensemble cast of George Clooney’s true-life drama "Good Night, and Good Luck," and in a Special Jury Prize won by the ensemble cast of "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints," presented at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.

Downey’s long list of film credits also includes "Gothika" "The Singing Detective;" Curtis Hanson’s "Wonder Boys;" "U.S. Marshals;" Mike Figgis’ "One Night Stand;" Jodie Foster’s "Home for the Holidays;" "Richard III;" Oliver Stone’s "Natural Born Killers;" Robert Altman’s "The Gingerbread Man" and "Short Cuts," sharing in a Golden Globe Award for Best Ensemble for the latter; "Heart and Souls," "Soapdish," "Air America," "Chances Are," "True Believer," "Less Than Zero," "Weird Science," "Firstborn," and "Pound," in which he made his debut under the direction of Robert Downey Sr.

Marking his debut into music, Robert Downey Jr. released his first album titled "The Futurist" on the Sony Classics Label on November 23rd, 2004. The album’s eight original songs that Downey wrote and his two musical numbers debuting as cover songs revealed his sultry singing voice and his musical talents.

In 2001, Downey made his primetime television debut when he joined the cast of the Fox-TV series "Ally McBeal," as attorney Larry Paul. For this role, he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, as well as the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Comedy Series. In addition, Downey was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Matt Damon received the 2010 American Cinematheque Award. Previous honorees are as follows: Eddie Murphy (1986); Bette Midler (1987); Robin Williams (1988); Steven Spielberg (1989); Ron Howard (1990); Martin Scorsese (1991); Sean Connery (1992); Michael Douglas (1993); Rob Reiner (1994); Mel Gibson (1995); Tom Cruise (1996); John Travolta (1997); Arnold Schwarzenegger (1998); Jodie Foster (1999); Bruce Willis (2000); Nicolas Cage (2001); Denzel Washington (2002); Nicole Kidman (2003), Steve Martin (2004); Al Pacino (2005) George Clooney (2006), Julia Roberts (2007) and Samuel L. Jackson (2008).

One thousand entertainment industry notables are expected to attend the Tribute. This annual event is the American Cinematheque’s most important benefit, providing funds for the non-profit film exhibition organization’s programs throughout the year and operation of the historic landmark Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard as well as the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica on Montana Avenue.

Tickets to the Cinematheque Tribute, an elegant black-tie dinner followed by a multi-media award show start at $550. Call Mann Productions for tickets and further information: 424.832.7434. Please note that this event was formerly known as the Moving Picture Ball.

Established in 1981, the American Cinematheque is a non-profit viewer-supported film exhibition and cultural organization dedicated to the celebration of the Moving Picture in all of its forms. At the Egyptian Theatre, the Cinematheque presents daily film and video programming which ranges from the classics of American and international cinema to new independent films and digital work. Exhibition of rare works, special and rare prints, etc., combined with fascinating post-screening discussions with the filmmakers who created the work, are a Cinematheque tradition that keep audiences coming back for once-in-a-lifetime cinema experiences. The American Cinematheque renovated and reopened (on December 4, 1998) the historic 1922 Hollywood Egyptian Theatre which celebrates its 89th anniversary on October 18. This includes a state-of-the-art 616-seat theatre housed within Sid Grauman’s first grand movie palace on Hollywood Boulevard. The exotic courtyard is fully restored to its 1922 grandeur.

The Egyptian was the home of the very first Hollywood movie premiere in 1922. In early 2005 the American Cinematheque expanded its programming to the 1940 Aero Theatre on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica.

Everything You Need To Know About Producing Web Entertainment

On Tuesday, June 21 at 7:30 PM the American Cinematheque's seminar series will present our 2nd annual panel discussion with industry experts, "Everything You Need To Know About Producing Web Entertainment." The seminar, which takes place at the Egyptian Theatre (6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028) will last approximately 150 minutes and will include a moderated discussion with our panel and a question and answer period.

Once just a revenue and career gamble, the world of web series creation is now becoming a vital life force all its own for emerging filmmakers, actors, producers and writers. Not only are careers getting started both in front of and behind the camera, but established celebrity participation and corporate endorsement of web series creation is on the rise.

Are you still resisting understanding the vast exposure the internet can provide your film career?
Yes, there is a big web entertainment world out there… but let’s set the stage for all of you filmmakers, producers, writers and actors looking for a start in the entertainment industry:
Here’s a little fact sheet to consider about today’s Web Entertainment industry:

The web entertainment industry includes original programming of every conceivable genre and classification (and a few yet to be defined) known to the established mainstream industry. Action, animation, cult, documentary, drama, experimental, exploitation, fantasy, horror, informational, LGBT, musical, noir, reality, sci-fi and talk original series can all be found on the internet. And then there are the comedies - situation, sketch, screwball, stand-up, sex, satire, parody and some really twisted blends!

Corporations as diverse as Ikea, Lexus, Altoids and Spherion are all getting involved in the creation of “branded” web series. Jaguar, Kodak, Verizon Wireless and Mountain Dew are coming to the playing field with financial support via “product integration.”

And who’s contributing content exclusively to the web?

Academy Award-nominees like Michael Lerner (BARTON FINK) and Robert Forster (JACKIE BROWN); Emmy Award-winners/nominees like Lisa Kudrow (“Friends”), Megan Mullally (“Will & Grace”), Ed Begley, Jr. (“St. Elsewhere”) and Illeana Douglas (“Six Feet Under”); television beloveds Justine Bateman (“Family Ties”), Wil Wheaton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”), Neil Patrick Harris (“Doogie Howser, M.D.); cult/horror superstars like Robert Englund, comedians like Will Ferrell and today’s hottest established talent like Zach Galifianakis (THE HANGOVER), Rosario Dawson (SIN CITY, SEVEN POUNDS); a host of the coolest and brightest new stars (Brendan Bradley, Dingani Beza, Nathan Fillion, Mark Gantt, Rachael Hip-Flores, Nicole Pacent); acclaimed Hollywood film directors like David Lynch (BLUE VELVET) and Robert Townsend (HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE), impressive new animators, and the list goes on and on…

The mainstream, broadcast world has warmed up to buying and adapting web original series for the more traditional form of exhibition they offer. Catch Lisa Kudrow’s former web series original, WEB THERAPY, on Showtime!

The coveted “Best Short Film” prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival did not go to an independently- or film school- made short film. A web-designed short took top honors.
The Television Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2009 recognized web series DR. HORRIBLE’S SING-A-LONG BLOG with a “Prime Time” Emmy Award (Dr. Horrible beat out the likes of “Battlestar Galactica,” “The Daily Show,” “30 Rock” and Bruce Springsteen for the honor!)

The world has found its first American “webberty” in actor Felicia Day of the web series THE GUILD.

Whether you are a budding filmmaker looking for a place to start, a smart producer looking for an arena to play in, an actor looking for a career start and a way to get in front of thousands of viewers or if you are just interested in learning more about the best web series out there, our June 21st Web Entertainment seminar is going to be completely invaluable to you!

It is high time to turn a brighter light on an end of the entertainment industry that all too frequently escapes the attention it deserves.

Confirmed Panelists Include: Illeana Douglas (Series Creator/Writer/Actor: EASY TO ASSEMBLE); Peter Hyoguchi (CEO: Strike.TV); Sandeep Parikh (Series Creator/Writer/Director: THE LEGEND OF NEIL & Actor: THE GUILD); Joe Wilson (Series Creator/Writer/Director: VAMPIRE MOB); Anna Wenger (Head Of Physical Production: Funny Or Die); Daniel Williams (Series Creator/Writer/Producer: ASYLUM); Kimberley Browning (Moderator, Executive Director: Hollywood Shorts); Thomas Ethan Harris (Producer: American Cinematheque Film Seminar Series).

Ticket Prices: $12 Member, $15 Student/Senior, $20 General. Advance tickets are available on www.fandango.com

Added, Postponed & Sold Out Screenings at the Aero and Egyptian Theatres

A few schedule changes to the American Cinematheque film calendar to note:
SEMINAR POSTPONED
1. The Seminar for filmmakers entitled "Not Just for Decoration: Color and Design in Cinema" has been postponed from Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 7:30 PM at the Egyptian Theatre. As soon as a new date is confirmed it will be announced on our website and on Facebook. Ticket holders are entitled to a cash refund at the box office. You must bring your original ticket to obtain the refund. If you ordered online and do not have the ticket in your possession, simply bring your fandango receipt to the box office. We apologize for the inconvenience.

EVEN THE RAIN Added Screenings!
2. Back by Popular Demand are added screenings of the Spanish Oscar Entry
EVEN THE RAIN (TAMBIEN LA LLUVIA) starring Gael Garcia Bernal. The film screens in the Egyptian's Spielberg Theatre twice this weekend: Saturday, May 14 - 7:30PM Sunday, May 15 - 4:30 PM *not on DVD. Official website.Spain conquered the New World for gold. 500 years later, water is gold. Not much else has changed…

Critics Pick! “Splendidly panoramic...a grandeur and a force reminiscent of Terrence Malick films."
—Stephen Holden, THE NEW YORK TIMES


MICHAEL KEATON

3. Michael Keaton's In Person appearance on Friday, May 13 at the Aero Theatre with BEETLEJUICE and MULTIPLICITY is SOLD OUT. There will be a standby line at the Aero on Friday. It will be first come, first served for any remaining tickets. Tickets to the BATMAN I & II double feature and other Keaton programs are still available. View the Keaton series.

Go to the American Cinematheque website.