Vail Film Festival announces major award recipients for next week's event

The 2012 Vail Film Festival Presented by Cadillac, taking place in one of America's top rated ski resorts from March 29 through April 1, is pleased to announce 2012 Vanguard Award Recipient Fred Schepisi and Excellence in Acting Recipient Krysten Ritter.

Both will be honored for their outstanding work in the film industry during the 2012 Awards Ceremony, preceding the Film Festival's Closing Night Film on Saturday, March 31 at the Vail Mountain School.

Throughout the festival weekend, pass holders will enjoy film screenings, parties, live music, ice skating, and a hospitality lounge with complimentary Stella Artois, all of which will reach its summit on Saturday evening, March 31, when industry leaders will come together to celebrate the work of their peers Fred Schepisi, Krysten Ritter, and independent filmmakers from across the world.

The filmmakers stood out in the following categories: Best Feature, Best Documentary, Best Short, Best Student, Best Adventure, Best Feature Screenplay, Best Short Screenplay, The Blue Sky Tribute for Environmental Activism Presented by Chipotle, and the Cadillac Audience Award. Avanti and Prima pass holders are also welcome to attend this special event.

Honoring a filmmaker for his/her overall outstanding achievement in film, the Vail Film Festival is proud to present the 2012 Vanguard Award to Golden Globe winning Writer/Director, Fred Schepisi. Past Vail Film Festival Vanguard award recipients include Josh Lucas, Harold Ramis, and Edward Pressman.

With a rich career in the industry spanning more than 36 years, Mr. Schepisi's credits include Six Degrees of Separation, Last Orders, The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, Roxanne, Evil Angels and mini-series ‘Empire Falls' for which he gained an Emmy nomination for best director and won a Golden Globe for Best Mini-Series.

His latest film, The Eye of the Storm starring Academy Award-winner® Geoffrey Rush, Charlotte Rampling and Judy Davis will make its U.S. Premiere as the 2012 Vail Film Festival's Opening Night Film on Thursday, March 29 at the Vail Mountain School.

Nominated for 12 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) awards, The Eye of the Storm will be released by Sycamore Entertainment Group Inc. throughout the United States following the 2012 Vail Film Festival.

Known for her work in film, television, and theatre, Krysten Ritter has become one of the most sought after actors in Hollywood. The 2012 Vail Film Festival is honored to recognize her with this year's Excellence in Acting Award, joining past winners Kate Bosworth, Michelle Monaghan, and Jane Seymour.

Starring alongside many of Hollywood's biggest names, including Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Cameron Diaz, Isla Fisher, Kristin Bell, and Alicia Silverstone, Ms. Ritter's films include Dreamworks' comedy She's Out of My League, the Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer film Confessions of a Shopaholic, What Happens in Vegas, 27 Dresses and Amy Heckerling's comedy, Vamps.

In Television, Ritter has starred in Breaking Bad, the leading role on the Starz series Gravity as well as recurring roles on Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars. Her upcoming comedy series, Apartment 23 will debut on Wednesday, April 11 after Modern Family on ABC.

Ritter's most recent film, L!fe Happens, in which she stars and co-wrote alongside talented new filmmaker and Vail Film Festival Alum, Kat Coiro, will be screened following the Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 31st at 8:00pm, as the 2012 Vail Film Festival's Official Closing Night Film.

Hosted at the beautiful, Sebastian Vail, the four-day film festival will showcase 58 independent films from around the world. For the complete 2012 Vail Film Festival Program and screening schedule, visit: http://vailff.festivalgenius.com. For more information about the 2012 Awards Ceremony, events and activities, or to buy passes go to www.VailFilmFestival.com.