Screenvision, the leading innovator in cinema advertising, announced today a partnership with distributor Area 23a, the Hussman Foundation and the Autism Society for “100 CITIES. ONE NIGHT FOR AUTISM.”, a unique, nationwide theatrical screening event celebrating the critically acclaimed feature documentary, WRETCHES & JABBERERS. Directed by Academy Award®-winner Gerardine Wurzburg, the film follows two men with autism, Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette, who embark on a global quest to change attitudes about disability, intelligence and communication.
“100 CITIES. ONE NIGHT FOR AUTISM.” will take place on Thursday, May 12th in 100 theaters in nearly every major U.S. city, from New York to Honolulu, and is sponsored by the John P. Hussman Foundation in partnership with the Autism Society. To purchase advance tickets or for more information visit www.wretchesandjabberers.org.
“Through our partnership with Area 23a, the Hussman Foundation and the Autism Society, we’re thrilled to bring this compelling documentary to Screenvision’s exhibitor partners and to increase autism awareness,” said Darryl Schaffer, Executive Vice President, Operations and Exhibitor Relations for Screenvision.
“100 CITIES. ONE NIGHT FOR AUTISM.” was conceptualized in response to a surge in public demand for more showings of WRETCHES & JABBERERS after the documentary’s New York theatrical opening in Times Square on April 1st, its West Coast run in Los Angeles on April 15th and the launch of a 40-city tour in partnership with the Autism Society during April, which is Autism Awareness Month.
“The public response to WRETCHES & JABBERERS is overwhelming. We’ve gotten pleas from all around the world to broaden the distribution of this wonderful film,” said Kirt Eftekhar, Co-Founder of Area23a. “With ‘100 CITIES. ONE NIGHT FOR AUTISM.’ we have the ability to deliver WRETCHES & JABBERERS and educate thousands of people.”
About Screenvision
Headquartered in New York, N.Y., Screenvision is a national leader in cinema advertising, offering on-screen advertising, in-lobby promotions and integrated marketing programs to national, regional and local advertisers, and providing comprehensive cinema advertising representation services for its theatrical exhibitor partners. The Screenvision cinema advertising network is comprised of over 15,000 screens in 2,400+ theatre locations across all 50 states and 94% of DMAs nationwide; delivering through more than 150 theatrical circuits, including 10 of the top 15 exhibitor companies. www.screenvision.com
About Area 23a
Area23a is a bi-coastal, independently owned “event”-based theatrical distribution company, co-founded by distribution guru Richard Abramowitz and Ocule Films founder, Kirt Eftekhar. The company focuses on event-driven films, providing value-added distribution through alternative ways to reach audiences across the country, releasing films in libraries, museums, community centers, and college campuses, in addition to traditional venues like theaters, cinematheques and festivals. Area23a has distributed award-winning films such as Bill Guttentag’s SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION, Michael Paul Stephenson’s BEST WORST MOVIE, Alex Rotaru’s THEY CAME TO PLAY, and the recent TO CATCH A DOLLAR about the first US Grameen Bank. www.area23a.com
About the Autism Society
The Autism Society, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism by focusing on increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy. www.autism-society.org.
About the Hussman Foundation
The mission of the John P. Hussman Foundation is to provide life-changing assistance through medical research, education, and direct aid to vulnerable individuals having urgent needs or significant disabilities. www.hussmanfoundation.org
About WRETCHES & JABBERERS
Directed by Academy Award®-winner Gerardine Wurzburg (EDUCATING PETER), WRETCHES & JABBERERS follows self-advocates Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette as they challenge global attitudes about autism and issue a hopeful message to reconsider competency. A powerful story about personal struggle that rings with intelligence, humor, hope and courage, the feature documentary is about the life-sustaining power of relationships – the personal connections that people make through communication. It is produced by Douglas P. Biklen and Gerardine Wurzburg, and funded by the John P. Hussman Foundation. WRETCHES & JABBERERS features original music by composer J. Ralph (THE COVE, MAN ON WIRE) with a soundtrack featuring original songs written and produced by J. Ralph in collaboration with Antony, Devendra Banhart, Paul Brady, Bonnie Bramlett, Vashti Bunyan, Martin Carthy, Judy Collins, Lila Downs, Vincent Gallo, David Garza, Ben Harper, Scarlett Johannson, Nic Jones, Norah Jones, Leah Siegel, Carly Simon, Stephen Stills, Ben Taylor and Bob Weir. The WRETCHES & JABBERERS album was released in Barnes & Noble Stores on April 4, 2011, and a share of the profits will be donated to the Autism Society and the Wretches & Jabberers Fund of the Institute on Communication and Inclusion at Syracuse University. www.wretchesandjabberers.org