The Dallas Film Society Presents The Art of Film Honoring Val Kilmer

Oct. 25, 2012 - PRLog -- The Dallas Film Society, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that celebrates films and their impact on society, has announced it will honor movie star, Val Kilmer at their annual fall fundraising event The Art of Film on November 16, 2012, at the Hall of State, Fair Park.  

One of Hollywood’s most prolific actors of his generation, Val Kilmer will be presented with the Dallas Star Award during an evening that will celebrate the vast achievements of his career.  The following day, November 17, the Dallas Film Society will screen a retrospective of two of Kilmer’s most famous films.  The Art of Film is a rare opportunity for 350 film lovers to gather at an elegant dinner and be a part of an intimate conversation with Kilmer and renowned film critic, Elvis Mitchell.  

“The Dallas Film Society created The Art of Film to be a celebration of the trajectory of an actor’s career,” said James Faust, artistic director of the Dallas Film Society. “The roles that Val Kilmer has tackled show his incredible versatility and range as an actor. His role in REAL GENIUS gave me a passion for science; the Iceman took the world by storm in TOP GUN and his superb performances as Jim Morrison and Doc Holliday in THE DOORS and TOMBSTONE proved to critics that he was part of Hollywood’s elite.  I am very proud to be able to put his achievements on a pedestal and honor his work at this year’s event.”

Kilmer, the youngest student ever admitted to the drama department at Juilliard, has worked with many of film’s most respected directors and actors.  His feature debut in the comedy TOP SECRET (1984) was followed up with REAL GENIUS (1985) before his breakout role as the Iceman in TOP GUN (1986) opposite Tom Cruise. Kilmer’s other memorable roles include Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s THE DOORS (1991), the title character in BATMAN FOREVER (1995), Doc Holliday in TOMBSTONE (1993) and Simon Templar in THE SAINT (1997). His other starring roles include Michael Mann’s HEAT (1995), with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino; TRUE ROMANCE (1993), directed by Tony Scott and Ron Howard’s WILLOW (1988); AT FIRST SIGHT (1999) and THUNDERHEART (1992). He won the 2003 Prism Award for his work in THE SALTON SEA (2002).  Recent projects include the Ric Roman Waugh’s FELON (2008), with Stephen Dorff; DĖJÀ VU (2006), an action-thriller produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Films for Touchstone Pictures in which he stars with Denzel Washington and Jim Caviezel; and KISS, KISS, BANG, BANG (2005) written and directed by Shane Black, and co-starring Robert Downey, Jr.  Kilmer has recently completed principal photography on the new Francis Ford Coppola movie TWIXT (2011).  Val is currently working on his one-man act, Citizen Twain, which he wrote, directed and stars in.  True to his talent in bringing lead characters to life, he resurrects and embodies Mark Twain like no other and plans to bring the show to Dallas' Wyly Theatre in the next few months.

Kilmer shares his passion for film with theatre and photography.  He has appeared on Broadway, at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles and on the London’s West End and has released a behind-the-scenes pictorial book, the photographs from which were exhibited in several cities in the United States.

The Dallas Film Society honors individuals who have made important contributions to modern cinema and the advancement of the art of film. Kilmer joins a list of luminaries who have received the stunning crystal Dallas Star Award.   Previous recipients have included, amongst others, Laura Linney, Frank Darabont, Helen Hunt, Adrien Brody, Lauren Bacall, Sydney Pollack, Charlize Theron, John Lee Hancock, Kathryn Bigelow, Francis Ford Coppola, Gabourey Sidibe, Marvin Hamlisch, Peter Bogdanovich, Robert Towne and the 2010 and 2011 The Art of Film Honorees, Robert Duvall and John Lithgow.

Chairs of The Art of Film, Jennifer Houser, Kate Rose Marquez and Mersina Stubbs are working with the Dallas Film Society to organize the event, which will help raise funds to support the Dallas Film Society’s year-round programming efforts which include education and community outreach programs, multiple film screening series’ and the annual Dallas International Film Festival. The Chairs, along with the host committee, will recognize 2012 Honorary Chair, Ruth O’ Donnell Mutch, for her unwavering support of the Dallas Film Society since its inception in 2006.

“The Film Society strives throughout the year to champion the most approachable of art forms,” said Lee Papert, president and CEO of the Dallas Film Society. “Through this signature event, The Art of Film, we’re able to support this mission. By welcoming Mr. Kilmer to Dallas and highlighting his incredible contributions to film we’ll be able to continue to host incredible education programs for area high school students, offer screening series’ to our members and the citizens of Dallas in fun venues and expand the presence and reach of the Dallas International Film Festival.  We’re positive film lovers of all ages will recognize and appreciate his remarkable career and have a blast doing so.”  

Individual tickets from $500 are available for purchase, and underwriting opportunities are available from $5,000-$40,000. The Art of Film begins with red carpet arrivals at 6:00PM, reception 6:30PM, the conversation at 7:15PM and the seated dinner at 8:15PM. Tickets for the screenings the next day are free for The Art of Film guests and members of the Dallas Film Society. Contact Katie Layton at klayton@dallasfilm.org or call 214.720.0555 for more information.

ABOUT THE DALLAS FILM SOCIETY

The Dallas Film Society celebrates films and their impact on society.  A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the Dallas Film Society recognizes and honors filmmakers for their achievements in enhancing the  creative community, provides educational programs to students to develop better understanding of the role of film in today's world, and promotes the City of Dallas and its commitment to the art of filmmaking. The annual Dallas International Film Festival is a presentation of the Dallas Film Society. In addition to producing one of the largest festivals in the Southwest, the Society produces numerous year round events, screening series and partnership programs with arts organizations around the city.  

Save the date for the 2013 Dallas International Film Festival - April 4 - 14, 2013.

For more information, call (214) 720-0555, or visit www.dallasfilm.org.  The offices of the Dallas Film Society are located at 3625 North Hall Street, Suite 740, Dallas, TX 75219.

Sponsors for 2012 The Art of Film include Mega Capital, LLC/Jennifer and Doug Houser, Ruth O’Donnell Mutch, Mersina and Phin Stubbs, Deborah and Jim Nugent, Beth and Mark T. Layton, Stella Artois, Dallas Film Commission, Texas Film Commission, Deep Eddy Vodka, Showtech Prodution, Inc.