The Executive Board of the International Press Academy announced Tuesday (Dec. 23) that it applauds and commends Sony Pictures for announcing the release of the comedy film The Interview on Christmas Day.
The board also acknowledges and thanks actor-writer-director George Clooney for spearheading the fight for Freedom of the Press and Free Speech among the Hollywood community.
In 2005, the IPA honored Clooney in its first-ever Auteur Award which recognizes individual voices of filmmakers and their personal impact on the industry. Later honorees include Paul Williams, Peter Bogdanovich, Baz Luhrmann, Julian Schnabel, Alex Gibney and Robert Altman. The IPA also gave Clooney a Satellite Award for the Best Original Screenplay Award for Good Night, And Good Luck, which charts the era of McCarthyism through the eyes of TV news great Edward R. Murrow.
“We think it is wonderful that Sony is brave enough to stand up for Free Speech, and that they are going to let the public see this
movie,” says IPA President Mirjana Van Blaricom, who screened the movie recently. “We are not judging the merits of the movie, but we are congratulating James Franco, Seth Rogen and the filmmakers, as well as Sony Pictures, for standing up for the release of their movie.”
The International Press Academy is one of the largest coalitions of domestic and international entertainment journalists that gives its Satellite Awards in all categories of entertainment—cinema, television and new media.
“And, we are always in support of George Clooney, and his continuing support of free expression and innovation in the entertainment industry,” Van Blaricom adds.
Nominees have already been announced for television and motion pictures, and other nominees and honorees for the Pickford, Tesla and Auteur awardswill be announced next month. The 19th annual Satellite Awards will be presented on Feb. 15, 2015, and for more information go to http://www.pressacademy.com
About the Author of This Article: Dame Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist, economist and feature writer who has written for many publications including Savoir; The Westside Today Publications ; such as Beverly Hills 90210; Malibu Beach; Santa Monica Sun; The Beverly Hills Times; Brentwood News; Bel-Air View ; Celebrity Society ; Celeb Staff ; It Magazine; Chic Today; LA2DAY; West Side Today among many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicity and publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazine is owned by Atlantic United, Inc. Adrienne Papp is a member of the International Press Academy.