FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 19, 2004
CONTACT: Mary Carbine, (608) 262-6578, mary@wifilmfest.org or Lori Wilson at Funnel Incorporated, (608) 251-5481, lori@funnelinc.com
PHOTO: High-res photo of Ultimate Film Fanatic Host Chris Gore available upon request.
WHO IS WISCONSIN’S ULTIMATE FILM FANATIC?
Host Chris Gore Offers Festival Attendees an Exclusive Preview
of IFC’s Ultimate Film Fanatic Series and a Chance to Win Valuable Prizes
New York, New York, March 19, 2004 — The search for “Wisconsin’s Ultimate Film Fanatic” is about to begin…
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) and Charter Communications announced today that they will exclusively bring IFC’s highly anticipated film fan television competition, Ultimate Film Fanatic, to the Wisconsin Film Festival on Friday, April 2nd from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the Memorial Union Lakeshore Cafeteria. Premiering on the IFC Network in July, Ultimate Film Fanatic, is an eight-part intense television competition series that will crown the nation’s “Ultimate Film Fanatic.”
As part of the Wisconsin Film Festival, local film enthusiasts and movie geeks will have the opportunity to gain a sneak peek of the show; meet the show’s host, Chris Gore; and are being asked to participate in a special local competition, showing off their knowledge of film and vying for the title of “Wisconsin’s Ultimate Film Fanatic.” This Wisconsin sneak peek of the show and the specialized local competition will be the first of its kind nationwide.
The competition is free and open to the public. Advance registration for the contest is not required. Modeled after the actual show, local contestants will square off in a multi-round battle of film trivia. The participants who compete for the title of “Wisconsin’s Ultimate Film Fanatic” will also receive prizes, with the grand prize winner receiving a year-long movie pass at the Orpheum Theater plus year of free high-speed internet service from Charter Communications.
In addition to this event, Charter Communications will once again serve as the media sponsor for the festival and IFC will serve as community sponsor.
“The 2004 Wisconsin Film Festival will be our biggest and best yet, and there is an air of excitement in the community as we count down the days until the festival opening,” stated Wisconsin Film Festival Executive Director Mary Carbine. “We are obviously very thankful for the support Charter and IFC have provided the festival in the past, but bringing Ultimate Film Fanatic to the Festival is a huge coupe for us. We expect the competition to be a fun opportunity for all ages and a great way to come together and celebrate film. We encourage people to mark their calendars and look forward to bringing out great participation.”
“The Wisconsin Film Festival is a very important and eagerly anticipated annual event for the Madison area and we are delighted to host this unique opportunity to show our support,” added Don Stephan, VP of Operations, Charter Communications. “Partnering with the Festival and being a key sponsor is an important priority for Charter. We encourage everyone to come out and get involved in the Festival, test their film knowledge with Chris Gore, and compete in this exclusive game of Ultimate Film Fanatic.”
“We greatly value our strong relationship with Charter and our Wisconsin viewers and are pleased we could help bring this exclusive competition to the Festival,” stated Todd Green, Vice President National Accounts and Affiliate Marketing, IFC Network. “As the first and largest network dedicated to independent films we look to sponsor film festivals all around the country, but when Charter approached us on creating a special event for the Wisconsin Film Festival, we thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for the network and we jumped at the chance. This local competition is unlike anything IFC has ever done before, and we hope it is just the beginning of a successful partnership in the years to come.”
“As an obsessed film fanatic myself, I can’t wait to meet my fellow maniacs in Wisconsin and put them to the test to see if they measure up,” Ultimate Film Fanatic’s Host, Chris Gore stated. “We are obviously very excited about the show’s premiere in July and giving Wisconsin the only sneak peak of the show is going to be a lot of fun. If ‘The Ultimate Film Fanatic’ is ‘American Idol for movie geeks,’ I guess that makes me Ryan Seacrest for movie maniacs. I look forward to the festival!”
The Wisconsin Film Festival, founded in 1999, is Wisconsin’s premier independent film event and film festival. The four-day annual festival, a public program of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arts Institute, takes place each spring in campus and downtown Madison venues. The festival presents the best new independent films (feature, documentary, experimental), world cinema and new media; cultivates discovery through talks, panels, performances and coffeehouse discussions with filmmakers; and showcases the work of Wisconsin filmmakers through juried competitions. For more information on the festival, visit www.wifilmfest.org.
***IFC can be seen in the Madison area on Channel 302 on Charter’s digital cable tier.***
WHO: Chris Gore and the Film Enthusiasts of Wisconsin
WHAT: Ultimate Film Fanatic Competition
WHEN: Friday, April 2nd, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Stop by in between film screenings or stay all night
WHERE: Lakeshore Cafeteria, University of Wisconsin Memorial Union
About Independent Film Channel
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed channel dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut and commercial free. IFC celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2004 with its most extensive original programming line-up ever. Original programming premiering in 2004 includes Nanette Burstein’s Film School, Ultimate Film Fanatic, Rocked With Gina Gershon, the third season of Dinner For Five and John Landis’ Slasher. In 2003, IFC made its mark with originals including BaaadAsssss Cinema, The American Nightmare, Indie Sex: Taboos and A Decade Under the Influence. IFC Television is a part of IFC Companies, which has created a unique end-to-end business model and brand that focuses on developing and nurturing talent, and maximizing the value of independent film. With a television network, a film distribution and production unit, and a VOD service, IFC Companies represents the future of independent film. IFC Companies uses its unique position to broaden the independent film audience nationwide and to expand the opportunities for independent filmmakers. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Entertainment Services, which also includes the AMC and WE: Women’s Entertainment television networks.
About Charter Communications
Charter Communications, Inc. is a broadband communications company operating in 40 states. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services to the home, including cable television on an advanced digital video programming platform via Charter Digital(tm) and Charter High-Speed Internet Service(tm). Charter provides business to business video, data and Internet protocol (IP) solutions through its Commercial Services Division. Advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media®brand. More information about Charter can be found at www.charter.com.
About Chris Gore, Host of Ultimate Film Fanatic
Gore’s work as creator and editor of Film Threat magazine has earned him a reputation as a hilariously honest, down-to-earth critic of cinema. He founded the publication in 1985, and retired the print edition in 1997 to focus on a webzine version, which today is one of the most popular and respected indie movie sites on the Internet. In fact, Film Threat was recently named one of the top five film web sites by the Wall Street Journal. His outspoken column on Film Threat, “The Gorey Details,” touches on off-beat topics ranging from “Are Today’s Action Stars Wusses?” to “Do Trailers Ruin Movies?” In addition to his Film Threat work, Gore previously hosted The New Movie Show with Chris Gore on FX as well as Festival Pass with Chris Gore for Starz Cinema. He recently turned to filmmaking, as the co-writer and producer of the comedy spoof My Big Fat Independent Movie.
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