OSCAR(R) EXPERIENCE: DALLAS PARTY TO BENEFIT THE USA FILM FESTIVAL Sequins, suits and PJs with high heels and slippers will walk the red carpet

The Dallas event is one of 46 parties officially-sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that will be held across the country on Oscar Night.

(Dallas) – The excitement and glamour of Hollywood is coming to Dallas on Oscar® night. Residents of Dallas can experience the thrills and surprises of the 85th Oscars® on Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Oscar® Experience: Dallas party benefiting the USA Film Festival.

The Dallas event is one of 46 parties officially-sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that will be held across the country on Oscar Night.

Benefiting the USA Film Festival's KidFilm® outreach programs, Dallas' Oscar Experience celebration will be held at the Studio Movie Grill, 11170 N. Central Expressway, Dallas; Doors at 6:00pm (doors open; Awards telecast begins at 7:00pm CT). Tickets are now on sale at the USA Film Festival by telephone 214-821-6300 or via email usafilmfest@aol.com.

The Dallas audience will watch the Oscars telecast on a large theater screen courtesy of WFAA TV, the Dallas affiliate of the ABC Television Network, which broadcasts the Oscars telecast. This is the 20th year that the Academy and ABC have cooperated with local charities to support official Oscar Experience: Benefits viewing parties throughout the country. This year marks the 17th year that the Festival's Dallas event has been sanctioned by the Academy.

"Oscar Sunday is an event meant to be a shared with others. This network of fundraising parties across the nation is just that: a shared experience. These gatherings also represent the yearround philanthropic work the Academy does," said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. "This February we are thrilled to be able to celebrate the movies with fans nationwide while supporting charities around the country."

Oscar Experience: Benefits parties last year raised more than $3.1 million in 49 cities. All money raised stays in the local community.

The Academy will provide party guests in Dallas the same official program distributed to guests at the Oscar presentation at the Dolby™ Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood. Dallas guests will also be served Sofia sparkling wine from Francis Ford Coppola Winery, dinner from the Studio Movie Grill, and desserts courtesy of Wolfgang Puck Catering. Guests can also participate in a live auction featuring movie memorabilia and more. One of this year's most anticipated auction items will be tickets to a special screening in Dallas of the classic Western, Rio Bravo, with star Angie Dickinson in attendance, courtesy of Turner Classic Movies.

Tickets to the Dallas event are $75 and $45. To purchase tickets, contact the USA Film Festival at 214-821-6300 or usafilmfest@aol.com.

"Oscar Night generates excitement all over the world," said Susan Haddad, Co-Chairman of Oscar Experience: Dallas. "With the Academy's help, our guests will feel like they are on the A-List. We had an incredibly enthusiastic turnout last year and hope to raise even more money for the Festival's KidFilm programs this year." Co-Chairman Laura Fox Williamson added, "And this year, we continue a new tradition with the Dallas event – guests can wear PJs to the party!" Williamson explained, "For years, the Dallas party has been a black-tie or cocktail attire affair. But we also know that lots of people love to watch the show at home in their PJs, so this year we decided to further up the fun factor by encouraging guests to walk the red carpet in either evening wear or pajamas."

"We are especially pleased to welcome back Wolfgang Puck Catering and Francis Ford Coppola Winery to our Dallas event" said Co-Chairman Kristin Carter Schor. "Everybody knows that Chef Wolfgang Puck caters the exclusive Governors Ball following the Awards program. For years we have watched him and his army of cooks prepare to feed the stars after the show, and drooled over everything on the menu! It will be such a treat to have a taste of his wonderful desserts at our party in Dallas." Schor continued, "The great director Francis Ford Coppola is also well known for his fine winery in California wine country. We are thrilled to be able to include their sparkling wine Sofia, named for Coppola's Oscar-winning daughter, to toast this year's Oscar event."

"The USA Film Festival is proud to be a part of the Oscar Experience" said USA Film Festival Board President Karen Urie. "The support that this program has generated for the Festival's programs every year has been phenomenal. Because of this support, the Festival has been able to provide artsin-education programs for thousands of DISD students and educators every year."

Presenting Sponsors for the Dallas Oscar Party are Dave Perry-Miller & Associates, Gaedeke Group, The Dallas Morning News, Studio Movie Grill, Francis Ford Coppola Vineyards and Wolfgang Puck Catering.

Now in its 43rd year, the USA Film Festival is a Dallas-based, 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and recognition of excellence in the film and video arts. The Festival's year-round programs and events include monthly screenings, the annual KidFilm®, special tributes and premieres, and the annual USA Film Festival held in the Spring. The USA Film Festival is supported, in part, by the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

PHONE: 214-821-6300
FAX: 821-6364 INFO-821-FILM
EMAIL: USAFILMFESTIVAL@AOL.COM

Company Name: USA Film Festival
Contact Person: Ann Alexander
Email: Send Email
Phone: 214-821-6300
Address:6116 N. Central Expressway, Suite 105, 
City: Dallas
State: Texas 75206
Country: United States
Website: http://www.usafilmfestival.com/

Source: www.abnewswire.com