Previously Scheduled Guest of Honor, Toni Collette, Regretfully Unable to Attend Due to Scheduling Conflict

DALLAS (November 10, 2014) – The Dallas Film Society is thrilled to honor Marisa Tomei at the 5th annual The Art of Film gala on Friday, November 21, 2014. Tomei made an unforgettable impression on Hollywood with her breakthrough role as Mona Lisa Vito in MY COUSIN VINNY for which she received the Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actress. Her extensive range of film, television and theater credits includes Academy Award® nominated performances in IN THE BEDROOM and THE WRESTLER, and a Drama Desk Award® nomination for her role in the Broadway production TOP GIRLS.

Emmy® and Golden Globe® award-winning actress Toni Collette was previously scheduled as the guest of honor at The Art of Film. Collette has regretfully withdrawn from this year’s event due to an unforeseen and unavoidable change in her overseas filming schedule. “We wish Toni all the best and look forward to honoring her at a future time,” stated James Faust, Artistic Director of the Dallas Film Society.

The Art of Film is an annual fundraising event during which Dallas film lovers gather to celebrate talent within the film community. Guests at this year’s gala will enjoy a moderated conversation with the very gifted Marisa Tomei followed by an elegant dinner at the Perot Museum of Nature & Science. The premiere Dallas fundraiser has honored some of the biggest names in film including Robert Duvall, Lee Daniels, John Lithgow and Val Kilmer. Proceeds from the evening are directed to the year-round programming of the Dallas Film Society, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, and more specifically the 2015 Dallas International Film Festival, presented by AutoNation and the 2015 DFS Summer Camp, presented by SMU – Division of Film & Media Arts.

On the silver screen, Tomei has tackled a wide variety of roles including performances in PARENTAL GUIDANCE; CRAZY STUPID LOVE; THE IDES OF MARCH; THE LINCOLN LAWYER; ANGER MANAGEMENT; CYRUS; BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD; WHAT WOMEN WANT; SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS; HAPPY ACCIDENTS; WELCOME TO SARAJEVO; UNHOOK THE STARS; FOUR ROOMS; THE PAPER; and CHAPLIN. A veteran of the theater, Tomei and the cast of THE REALISTIC JONSES won the 2014 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance earlier this year. Additional theater credits include MARIE AND BRUCE; OH, THE HUMANITY AND OTHER GOOD INTENTIONS; BEIRUT; DESIGN FOR LIVING; WE WON’T PAY! WE WON’T PAY!; WAITING FOR LEFTY; ROCKET TO THE MOON; DEMONOLOGY; SLAVS!; THE COMEDY OF ERRORS; THE ROSE TATTOO; and WHAT THE BUTLER SAW. Tomei is a founding member of the Naked Angels Theater Company in New York. Tomei can currently be seen in LOVE IS STRANGE, which premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Tomei also recently wrapped production on a number of upcoming feature films – Marc Lawrence’s THE REWRITE, Judd Apatow’s TRAINWRECK, and Lionsgate’s SPARE PARTS. Marisa made her directorial debut with a short film based on the Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn’s book Half the Sky. Tomei continues to bridge the gap between rich, dramatic performances and smart, comedic turns. Whether working with large studios or independent houses, she consistently brings her independent spirit to every project with which she is involved.

Elvis Mitchell, former NY Times and Fort Worth Star-Telegram Film Critic and newly appointed Artistic Director of the L.A. Film Festival, will serve as guest moderator for the evening. The conversation between Mitchell and Tomei will certainly be filled with compelling and engaging dialogue. “Marisa has established one of the longest and most impactful careers in Hollywood,” said Faust. “We look forward to honoring her accomplishments by presenting her with the Dallas Star Award.”

The Art of Film is supported by Pam and Mark Denesuk, on board as Event Chairs, and Barbara and Steve Durham as Honorary Chairs. “The Dallas Film Society has really raised the profile of the film and arts scene in Dallas,” states Mark Denesuk, Founder and Managing Principle of Commerce House and The Art of Film 2014 Event Chair along with his wife Pam. “The world of film has been a passion of ours for many years, and we’re grateful to be a part of an annual event which attracts great talents like Marisa Tomei. We look forward to uniting with other film lovers from around the Metroplex to celebrate great filmmaking and empower future filmmakers through camps, high school programs, and the Dallas International Film Festival.”

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 6:30PM, the reception at 7:00PM, the conversation at 8:00PM and the seated dinner at 9:00PM. Additional information regarding The Art of Film can be found on Dallas Film Society’s website, www.dallasfilm.org. Contact Jennifer Dworkin atjdworkin@dallasfilm.org or call 214.720.0555 for more information.

THE ART OF FILM SPONSORS:

PRODUCER LEVEL SPONSORS:  Barbara & Steve Durham/Durham Family Foundation

DIRECTOR LEVEL SPONSORS: Pam & Mark Denesuk/Commerce House; Earth Day Texas; Cindy & Phillip Eichenholz; Ruth O. Mutch

WRITER LEVEL SPONSORS: Cinemark Theaters; Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau; Dallas Film Commission; Embrey Family Foundation; Kara & Randall Goss/U.S. Risk Insurance Group, Inc.; Jan Miller & Jeff Rich; Deborah & Jim Nugent; Stephanie & Michael Seay; Deborah & Don Stokes; Jackson Walker

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT: ABCO; BUYLEDS; Dallas by Chocolate; Deep Eddy; El Creative; Great One Cookie Company; J.R. Ewing Bourbon; The Joule Hotel Dallas; The Levenson Group; Line 39 Wines; Post Asylum; Pure Evil Music & Sound Design; Tesla

PRINT PRESS SPONSOR: PaperCity

ADDITIONAL PRESS: My Sweet Charity