VAIL, Colo. (M&C) – The Vail Film Festival, with presenting sponsor Best Life magazine, March 8 announced its Tribute Award recipients for the 2007 Festival, which will take place March 29 – April 1.
Screenwriter, director and actor Harold Ramis will receive the 2007 Gold Summit Award. The 2007 Rising Star Award will be presented to actress Sophia Bush, and Hayden Panettiere will be named the 2007 Breakthrough Actor of the Year.
The 2007 Gold Summit Award for contribution to film will be presented to Harold Ramis, whose films include some of the most popular and influential comedies of our time -- 'Animal House,' 'Caddyshack,' 'National Lampoon’s Vacation,' 'Ghostbusters,' and his most recent directorial effort, 'The Ice Harvest,' starring John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton.
Having received his BA from Washington University in St. Louis, Ramis has been awarded honorary Doctorates in Arts from both Columbia College Chicago and Washington University. Among his numerous professional honors and awards, Ramis is the recipient of the American Comedy Award, the British Comedy Award, and the BAFTA (British Academy) award for screenwriting ('Groundhog Day'). Four of his films were listed among the American Film Institutes’ “100 Funniest Movies,” and 'Groundhog Day' was recently chosen as one of the “101 Greatest Screenplays” by the Writers Guild of America.
The Festival will also honor Sophia Bush with its 2007 Rising Star Award.
This past year Bush starred in three feature films, while portraying ‘Brooke Davis’ on The CW’s hit drama
In July 2006, Bush starred in the 20th Century Fox comedy 'John Tucker Must Die,' co-starring Jesse Metcalfe and Brittany Snow. She also starred in Buena Vista Pictures’ thriller, 'Stay Alive,' opposite Frankie Muniz and Adam Goldberg. Bush’s first movie role was in the comedy 'Van Wilder' with Ryan Reynolds.
Bush also appeared in HBO’s 'Point of Origin' with Ray Liotta and JohnLeguizamo and the independent film Learning Curves. She was featured in a three-episode arc on the provocative FX drama, Nip/Tuck.
The 2007 festival will honor Hayden Panettiere with the Breakthrough Actor of the Year award. Currently starring in the NBC Television drama Heroes, Panettiere has been cast in the unique and challenging role as a High School Cheerleader who is literally indestructible.
The new NBC series is already a qualified critical and audience hit. She recently shot two independent films, The Architect for HDNet opposite Anthony LaPaglia and Isabella Rosselini and Mr. Gibb for Kevin Spacey’s company Triggerstreet co-starring Bill Sadler and Tim Daly.
Panettiere’s other film credits include 'Ice Princess,' 'Racing Stripes,' 'Raising Helen,' and others.
Her voice is as recognizable as her face. She starred in the animated feature, 'A Bug’s Life,' as “Princess Dot” and as “Suri” in Disney’s 'Dinosaurs.' Her work for 'A Bug’s Life' Read-A-Long garnered her a Grammy Nomination for Best Spoken Word Album, as well as a nomination for The Hollywood Reporter’s Young Star Award for Best Young Voiceover Talent.
Panettiere recently signed a deal with Hollywood Records and is working on her debut CD. She is an Ambassador for the ICUN Wildlife Foundation. The organization helps to raise funds to support and save endangered species. Fellow Ambassadors include Nelson Mandela and Queen Noor. You might also recognize Panettiere as the new face of Neutrogena.
Approximately 70 films from around the world will be screened during this four-day event. The 2007 festival will showcase feature films, shorts, documentaries, student films, action sports films and an Oscar shorts showcase.
About Vail Film Festival
The Vail Film Festival promotes independent filmmaking, with a special focus on new and innovative filmmakers. Besides screening some of the year’s top films from around the globe, the festival will also feature workshops, seminars, industry panel discussions and special events with award-winning actors, writers and directors. A special awards ceremony, family festivities, ski and snowboarding events, VIP parties and live music will round out this four-day event.
The Vail Film Festival is produced by the Vail Film Institute, a nonprofit arts organization that is dedicated to fostering independent cinema and creative filmmaking. Festival passes incorporate a combination of movies, filmmaker panels, galas and music, with deep discounts on skiing for festival pass holders.
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