George Lucas Honored At Gene Siskel Center 6/13, Event Hosted By Jon Favreau

The Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) proudly presents "An Adventure with George Lucas," in honor of Academy Award®-nominated director and writer George Lucas on Saturday, June 13, from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Four Seasons Chicago (120 E. Delaware Place). Lucas will engage in a discussion led by guest-host - actor, director and writer - Jon Favreau. Tickets are now on sale.

A highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the "Gene Siskel Film Center Visionary Award for Innovation in Filmmaking" to Lucas by SAIC President Wellington Reiter.

"It is a true privilege to have an icon of Lucas' stature as our honoree this year," says Jean de St. Aubin, executive director, Gene Siskel Film Center of the SAIC. "Lucas' pioneering and daring spirit has helped to transform Hollywood into a high-tech, modern enterprise which very much reflects the Gene Siskel Film Center's mission of presenting movies that feature the latest technology, and invites audiences to take on the challenge to explore new ground in cinema."

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m., and features a menu inspired by Lucas' movies. Raffle Prize winners will be announced at 8 p.m., and then the evening's program begins. Reiter will welcome guests and serve as the evening's Master of Ceremonies. De St. Aubin will introduce surprise clips and testimonials. The discussion with Lucas and Favreau will feature film clips from Lucas' career. At the conclusion of the program, Reiter will present Lucas with the "Gene Siskel Film Center Award for Visionary Filmmaking."

The award was designed specifically for "An Adventure with George Lucas" by R.S. Owens & Company, creator of the Oscar® statuette.

Suggested attire for the evening is Cocktail Glam. Limited valet parking is available.

Proceeds from "An Adventure with George Lucas" will support film presentations as well as lecture series and discussions with visiting scholars and filmmakers that provide the opportunity for public high school students, college students and the Chicago community to experience the best in film presentation. The annual fundraiser is the primary event that ensures that the Gene Siskel Film Center can continue to present the highest quality films and film-related education events in Chicago.

Raffle Prize packages include 1) First Class domestic airfare to any continental U.S. destination plus signed movie memorabilia from George Lucas (with other surprises) and 2) A Chicago package including a personalized Obama Tour and the chance to host a special event at the Zhou B Art Center. Raffle tickets are $100 each or two for $150.

An Adventure with George Lucas tickets are $400 / General Admission Ticket and $1,000 / VIP Ticket. Table sponsorships are $5,000 / Director Sponsor; $10,000 / Producer Sponsor; $25,000 / Executive Producer Sponsor; and $50,000 / Visionary Award Sponsor. For tickets, tables or more information, please call (312) 846-2072.

Event Co-Chairs are Michelle Cucchiaro and Eda Davidman. Event Committee Members are Virginia Gerst, Marsha Goldstein, David Hundley, Ellen Sandor and Courtney Thompson.

George Lucas has long been honored and recognized for his work since "THX-1138," one of his first short films, which won first prize at the 1967-1968 National Student Film Festival. His 1973 film, the semi-biographical comedy-drama "American Graffiti," won two Golden Globe Awards and received five Academy Award nominations. The release of the Lucas-penned-and-directed "Star Wars" (1977), a movie now synonymous with the filmmaker and his legacy, broke all box office records and won eight Academy Awards for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration; Best Costume Design; Best Effects, Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Music, Original Score; and Best Sound. Significant honors include the Irving G. Thalberg Award for lifetime achievement by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; a presidential medal for outstanding achievement in improvements in technology in movies; and the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award.

As a writer, Lucas has penned "Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back" (1980), "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi" (1983); and "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" (1999). He also wrote and executive-produced "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981), "Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom" (1984), "Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade" (1989), and "Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (2003), all directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford. "Red Tails," a movie for which he wrote the story about the Tuskeegee Airmen, is currently being filmed.

A pioneer in technology, Lucas established the THX System which is installed in movie theaters to maintain the highest quality standards for motion picture presentation; has transformed the use of movie sound design; and founded his own special effects company ILM. He is chairman of the board of The George Lucas Educational Foundation, which he founded in 1991.

An alumnus of Chicago's iO (formerly known as Improv Olympic), Jon Favreau's first movie role was D-Bob in the sleeper hit "Rudy." While shooting the film, he met future collaborator and co-star Vince Vaughn. He and Vaughn broke through with the hipster comedy "Swingers," for which Favreau wrote the screenplay. In 2001, he made his debut as a director with "Made," for which he also wrote the screenplay in collaboration with Vaughn. Other directing credits include Christmas comedy "Elf," starring Will Ferrell, and "Iron Man," starring Robert Downey, Jr. "Couples Retreat," his latest collaboration with Vaughn, a film in which they both star, and for which Favreau wrote the screenplay, is currently in post-production. Favreau was also host of the IFC television series "Dinner For Five."

The Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago proudly presents "An Adventure with George Lucas" in honor of Academy Award®-nominated director and writer George Lucas. Lucas will engage in a discussion led by guest-host - actor, director and writer - Jon Favreau. The evening begins with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Dinner features a menu inspired by Lucas' movies. Film Center Executive Director Jean De St. Aubin will introduce surprise clips and testimonials. The discussion with Lucas and Favreau will feature film clips from Lucas' career. The evening concludes with the presentation of the "Gene Siskel Film Center Visionary Award for Innovation in Filmmaking" to Lucas by SAIC President Wellington Reiter. Saturday, June 13 at 6 p.m., The Four Seasons Chicago, 120 E. Delaware Place. Tickets and table sponsorships range in price from $400 to $50,000; call (312) 846-2072.

The Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago celebrates 37 years of presenting independent and international cinema, film festivals, cutting edge programs, premieres, retrospectives and classic films. Recognized internationally for its original film programming, the Film Center annually attracts a diverse audience of more than 65,000. For more information, please visit www.siskelfilmcenter.org.

Educating artists, designers, and scholars since 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is one of the most distinguished training grounds in these disciplines. As one of the two bodies that make up the Art Institute of Chicago, SAIC's unparalleled transdisciplinary approach to art and design education is seen in the eighteen areas of study it offers through a range of graduate, undergraduate and post-baccalaureate programs. Located in the heart of Chicago, the School promotes contemporary discourse about art and design through venues such as the Gene Siskel Film Center, Video Data Bank, Betty Rymer Gallery, Gallery 2, the Division of Continuing Studies and in conjunction with the Poetry Center. Notable alumni of the School include Paul Chan, Richard Hunt, Halston, Joan Mitchell, Elizabeth Murray, LeRoy Neiman, Georgia O'Keeffe, Claes Oldenburg, Maria Pinto, Robert Storr and Rirkrit Tiravanija. For more information, please visit www.saic.edu.

 

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