A NIGHT OF STARS UNDER THE STARS:

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS HONOR ENTERTAINMENT’S MOST ACCOMPLISHED

AT 11^TH ANNUAL TEMECULA VALLEY INT’L FILM & MUSIC FESTIVAL GALA NIGHT

Mary Steenburgen

Temecula, CA --- The 2005 Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival (TVIFMF) is proud to announce the honorees for the Lifetime Achievement Awards, to be presented at the annual Awards Gala , 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2005 at Pechanga Resort and Casino (45000 Pechanga Parkway, just off the I-15 freeway, Temecula).  This year’s honorees include: Actress, Mary Steenburgen (NOTE:receiving her award on 9/14, all others on 9/17), Actor, Rick Schroder, Actress, Natasha Henstridge, Director, John Badham, Producer, Lucas Foster, Film Critic and Historian, Leonard Maltin, Composer, Steve Dorff, and the American Film Institute, with Director Jean Picker Firstenberg.  Masters of Ceremonies is internationally renowned Actor and Singer, Dorian Harewood. and former Hiroshima lead singer, Kimaya Seward. A full roster of celebrity guests and presenters will also be joining the glamorous night.   And a ‘Tribal Exchange’ ceremony will also take place during Saturday Night’s event.

Celebrating eleven years, the TVIFMF is slated for September 14-22 at The Movie Experience 10 at Tower Plaza (I-15@Ynez Road & Rancho California Road), a four-day, four-screen expansion from years past.  Last year the festival had over 10,000 attendees, and boasts participation from 200 filmmakers, musicians, producers, directors, writers, judges, cast and crew. The Lifetime Achievement Awards have been part of the festival since inception back in 1995. Past recipients include: the late Ray Charles, Rita Coolidge, Shirley Jones, Robert Wise, Carl Reiner, Howard Koch, Marsha Mason, Billy Preston, Patty Duke, William Shatner, John Spencer, Diane Ladd, and last year’s honorees including Louis Gossett, Jr., Lou Rawls, Director, Jonathon Lynn and Film Composer and Musician, Trevor Rabin.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREE: MARY STEENBURGEN will be present in-person to accept Wednesday, September 14, 2005, 5 P.M. at The Movie Experience at Tower Plaza Center (I-15 @ Ynez Road & Rancho California Road, Temecula). An Oscar-winning actress (Melvin and Howard) Mary has 48 film and television credits over 27 years, an Emmy nomination (The Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank) and a Golden Globe nomination (Goin' South). “Most of the women she plays on screen are softspoken and gentle;” wrote Leonard Maltin, “a few have been a wee bit ditzy. But she's equally capable of endowing her characters with fiery passion and indomitable resolve. In short, Mary Steenburgen is an extraordinarily versatile and appealing actress.”

Mary has informed our world and entertained us with memorable characters in Back to the Future III, Elf, Parenthood, I Am Sam, Philadelphia, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, and The Butcher’s Wife, to name a few. She has also made significant contributions to independent film working with John Sayles on Casa de los Babys and The Sunshine State; and now with her work in Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School.

Active in politics, a longtime friend of Bill and Hillary Clinton, and generous benefactor for charitable causes, Steenburgen’s work impacts beyond Hollywood.  She celebrates her tenth wedding anniversary to actor Ted Danson this year, and is the mother of actress Lilly McDowell and producer/director Charlie McDowell; her children with first husband, actor Malcolm McDowell.

Related Links

• Festival's Official Website
• Opening Night Photos