Screening of "Americanizing Shelley" and After-Party May 24, 2008

Union Savings Bank Steps Into the Spotlight As Presenting Sponsor of Connecticut Film Festival Event in Danbury on May 24

Film Screening, After-Party and Presentation of Lifetime Achievement Award to
New Milford Resident and Cinematographer Christo Bakalov
Open to the Public

Union Savings Bank will help Connecticut Film Festival attendees receive the “star treatment” with a screening of the cross-cultural comedy “Americanizing Shelley” and after-party at the historic Palace Theater in Danbury on May 24. Union Savings Bank is a presenting sponsor of this event, which is one of many film festival events taking place in Danbury from May 20 to 25.
The six-day culmination of the Connecticut Film Festival’s statewide tour – which has spanned nine months – features more than a dozen educational and networking events and the exhibition and competition of more than 120 independent films, including fundraiser screenings for local non-profit organizations.
“The Connecticut Film Festival is about bringing people together to honor not just an art form, but the related local causes for which they are just as passionate,” said Thomas Carruthers, executive director of the Connecticut Film Festival. “Union Savings Bank has many close community ties, so their sponsorship was a natural fit. We are thrilled that they have decided to support this important and exciting event.”
Several Housatonic Valley region arts and cultural organizations will organize the May 24 event, which begins at 7 p.m. with a screening of the romantic comedy “Americanizing Shelley,” starring Beau Bridges and Namrata Singh Gujral (“House of Sand and Fog” and “Training Day”) at the Palace Theater. The Connecticut Film Festival marks the first time the partially-renovated Palace Theater has shown films in 13 years.
"Union Savings Bank is proud to support the arts in our community and is happy that the Palace Theater’s doors are open once again,” said Union Savings Bank President and CEO John C. Kline. “We hope that the Connecticut Film Festival will continue to grow and attract audiences. We encourage residents in the Greater Danbury area to come to one or more of the many screenings and events scheduled between May 20 and 25."
In the vein of “Bend It Like Beckham” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” “Americanizing Shelley” is the story of a wannabe Hollywood player from the deep South who sets out to Americanize a Himalayan girl in response to a challenge posed by the CEO of a Hollywood management company. As he teaches her about American life, he begins to learn a thing or two about his own life, and their clash in cultures eventually gives way to understanding, unity and love.
The event will also feature the presentation of a lifetime achievement award to Christo Bakalov, a New Milford resident and the director of photography for “Americanizing Shelley.” Throughout his expansive career, Bakalov has traveled around the world to shoot feature films and documentaries. The evening will feature a retrospective of two of his other films: “Whirly Girl,” shot entirely in Connecticut, and “Samsara,” filmed at 15,000 feet in Tibet.
A party attended by members of the film industry, movie aficionados and stars, including Namrata Singh Gujral, will follow.
Other film festival events taking place in Danbury include:

• A party and screening of “The Flyboys,” starring Steven Baldwin and Tom Sizemore, on May 20 at the Palace Theater
• Fundraiser screening receptions on May 21 to 23 for local non-profit organizations with relevant subject ties to films being shown, including the American Cancer Society, The Make a Wish Foundation of Connecticut and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camps
• Workshops, panels and educational events on May 22 to 24 for everyone from students aspiring to break into the film industry to seasoned veterans
• The Industry Awards Brunch on May 25 at The Amber Room

For more information, including details of events and screening schedules, or to purchase tickets, please visit ctfilmfest.com.

About Union Savings Bank
Established in 1866 and headquartered in Danbury, Conn., Union Savings Bank is a $1.7 billion mutual bank dedicated to providing excellent customer service to its customers and communities. As a full-service financial institution, Union Savings Bank provides banking, mortgage, investment and insurance products throughout western Connecticut with 18 offices in Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, Kent, New Fairfield, Newtown, New Milford, Ridgefield, Sharon and Southbury. For more information, visit unionsavings.com.

About the Connecticut Film Festival
For the past four years, The Connecticut Film Festival has brought fresh, cutting-edge independent cinema to nine local theaters throughout the state. The organization has also partnered with numerous non-profit groups to create charity fundraising events, which have benefited the Make A Wish Foundation and The Hole In The Wall Gang Camps, among others. Film lovers will enjoy a first look at some of the best and most interesting new independent films and shorts, while meeting several of its filmmakers, actors and crew. For more information, visit ctfilmfest.com or e-mail [email protected].

Official Website: http://www.ctfilmfest.com