Naomi Watts, Blythe Danner, Liev Schreiber, Doug Liman and Griffin Dunne Come Out to Celebrate Independent Film

The Creative Coalition Spotlight Initiative Awards
Tonight in New York City

New York, New York (April 26, 2011): Tonight, Emmy Award-winning actor Blythe Danner(Detachment, Little Fockers), director Doug Liman (The Bourne Trilogy, Swingers), actor Griffin Dunne (Last Night, After Hours, “Frasier”), and Golden Globe-winning actor Anthony LaPaglia (The Ride, “Without a Trace”) will be honored at The Creative Coalition’s 2011 Spotlight Initiative Awards. Presenters include actors Matthew Modine (“Weeds,” Full Metal Jacket, And the Band Played On) and Liev Schreiber (Salt, Repo Man, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Taking Woodstock).

The Spotlight Initiative Awards celebrate the art and craft of independent filmmaking, and honor those who leverage the platform of the silver screen to make a difference in the world.

The evening is presented with the generous support of HSBC, and in partnership with amNewYork.

Details are as follows:

WHAT:         THE 2011 CREATIVE COALITION SPOTLIGHT INITIATIVE AWARDS

WHO: Blythe Danner, Doug Liman, Griffin Dunne, Anthony LaPaglia. With presentations by
Matthew Modine and Liev Schreiber.  Other confirmed guests include: Academy Award-
winner Celeste Holm, Emmy Award-winner Lynn Whitfield, actor Ally Sheedy, actor
Nikki Blonsky, actor Jason Spevack, actor Arielle Kebbel, and others TBA

WHEN: Tuesday evening, April 26, 2011
6:30 pm – Press Call/ Cocktail Reception
7:15 pm – Awards and Dinner Begin

WHERE:        Americas Ballroom
HSBC Bank Building
452 5th Ave (Between 39th and 40th streets)
11th Floor
New York, New York

About The Creative Coalition
The Creative Coalition (www.TheCreativeCoalition.org) is the premiere nonprofit, nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating, mobilizing, and activating its members on issues of public importance, primarily public education, the First Amendment, and arts advocacy. Actor Tim Daly serves as the organization’s President.

The Spotlight Initiative was launched in 2008 by The Creative Coalition to support independent films with messages that make a difference in the world.

About HSBC
HSBC Bank USA, National Association, with total assets of $181 billion as of 31 December 2010 (US GAAP), serves around 4 million customers through its personal financial services, commercial banking, private banking, asset management, and global banking and markets segments. It operates more than 470 bank branches throughout the United States. There are over 370 in New York state as well as branches in Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, California, Delaware, Illinois, Oregon and Washington State.  HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is the principal subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc., one of the nation’s largest bank holding companies by assets. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is a member of the FDIC.

About amNewYork
Launched in 2003, amNewYork is Manhattan’s largest free daily paper, providing some of the world’s most diverse, discerning, and active readers quality journalism that is fresh, edgy and relevant. amNewYork provides NYC commuters with the most comprehensive free news, culture, trends and lifestyle coverage of the city, nation and the world in a convenient way. amNewYork is a Newsday LLC and Cablevision company.

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Media Contacts:

Dennis St. Rose
The Creative Coalition
212-512-8570
DStRose@TheCreativeCoalition.org

Heather Holland
FMPR
323-957-2700
Heather@FMPR.tv