Awards Season at the National Media Museum
09 January 2012
The National Media Museum's Cinemas are getting into the Awards Season spirit with screenings of a number of potential Oscar contenders in the coming weeks.
With the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science's official nominations due to be announced on 24 January film fans can see a number of the talked about films at the Museum's renowned cinemas.
Hotly tipped silent film The Artist is showing from Friday, 13 January, and, if successful in gaining a nomination, could be the first silent film to win the 'best picture' Oscar since Wings in 1929.
Also in the running for a nomination this year is the Alexander Payne-directed The Descendants, starring George Clooney, which is showing at the National Media Museum from 27 January.
Film Programme Manager Tom Vincent said:
"The run up to the Oscars is always an exciting time. If you think of the selection of a film's release date as part of a big game of poker, January to March is the thrilling high stakes final hand. There are always lots of films that everyone wants to see at this time of year, and it's fun to second-guess what the Academy will go for and why."
Acclaimed individual performances by Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, and Michael Fassbender as a sex addicted businessman in Shame have also been singled out by critics as possible Oscar nominees. The Iron Lady is currently showing at the National Media Museum and a special preview of Shame with a live satellite link interview with some of the stars takes place tomorrow (10 January) at 7pm. Regular screenings of Shame start on 20 January.
And for everyone enjoying silent film thanks to The Artist, Asphalt (1929) is next in the Museum's programme of classic silent films accompanied by a live piano. Asphalt is showing on Sunday 29 January at 6.05pm and the live soundtrack will be performed by Darius Battiwalla.
British Animation Awards 2012: Public Choice
Also at the National Media Museum's cinemas in January is a programme of animated films showing as part of the British Animation Awards 2012: Public Choice. On Friday 27 January, Saturday 28 January and Thursday 2 February a selection of shorts, music videos and commercials will be shown on the Museum's big screens. Audience members will receive a voting form which allows them to nominate their favourite film for the Public Choice award.
Further details of all the above films and events are available from the National Media Museum website www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/film, or by calling the box office on 0844 856 3797.
ENDS
For further information or images, please contact Nick Cook, press and marketing assistant – nick.cook@nationalmediamuseum.org.uk, 01274 203334