2011 PARAJANOV-VARTANOV INSTITUTE AWARD HONORS JEAN VIGO Once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Paris-based film critic Luce Vigo, the daughter of icon of French cinema Jean Vigo (1905-1934). Rare 35mm projection of masterpieces by Jean Vigo - Zero for Conduct (1933) and L'Atalante (1934) , rated among the Top 10 films of all time - will be introduced by Luce Vigo at UCLA James Bridges Theatre at 3pm on April 10, 2011. Later that evening, the 2011 Parajanov-Vartanov Institute Award honoring Jean Vigo will be presented to Luce Vigo at the Beverly Hills Film Festival's closing awards ceremony at Four Seasons.

Parajanov-Vartanov Institute studies, preserves and promotes the artistic legacies of the late persecuted filmmakers Sergei Parajanov (1924-1990) and Mikhail Vartanov (1937-2009), and presents the annual Parajanov-Vartanov Award to underrated artists, notable members of society, and for artistic excellence.

Sergei Parajanov (1924-1990) is widely regarded as one of the greatest masters of cinema and has been called a genius, a master and a magician by legends like Fellini, Antonioni, Godard, and Tarkovsky. Paradjanov's masterpieces, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1964), and Sayat Nova or The Color of Pomegranates (1968), often turn up on the lists of the best motion pictures of all time.

Mikhail Vartanov (1937-2009) developed a method of documentary filmmaking termed the 'direction of undirected action' and his work as a cinematographer, documentarian and essayist became influential through such timeless films as The Color of Land (1969), Seasons (1975), The Last Spring (1992), and a series of essays including The Unmailed Letters.

For press inquiries, images, more info, to become a donor, sponsor, or volunteer, please contact: institute@parajanov.com - http://institute.parajanov.com.

Click here to RSVP on Facebook.