CineVegas Film Festival Opening Night Festivities

OCEAN’S THIRTEEN Floods 2007 CineVegas for Charity
Jerry Weintraub to Receive the Vanguard Producer Award at Ninth Annual Festival; Opening Night Festivities to Benefit Humanitarian Organization Not On Our Watch

Since 1998, the CineVegas Film Festival has sought to prove that there’s an ocean of difference between other celluloid events and “The World’s Most Dangerous Film Festival.” Appropriately enough, this year’s festival will open with the Las Vegas-set summer 2007 blockbuster Ocean’s Thirteen, it was announced today by Artistic Director Trevor Groth. The film’s producer Jerry Weintraub will be honored with the Vanguard Producer Award during opening night festivities—Lights, Camera, Take Action—on Wednesday, June 6 at 7:00pm at the Palms Casino, which will benefit the aid group, International Rescue Committee for Not On Our Watch, an organization whose initial campaign is to support existing Darfur humanitarian relief efforts and to ensure the protection of civilians in that region. Weintraub will be joined by his all-star cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Ellen Barkin and Andy Garcia in Las Vegas, where the festival President Robin Greenspun will present Weintraub and Not On Our Watch with a check representative of the proceeds of the festival’s fundraising efforts. The ninth annual CineVegas Film Festival returns to the Palms Casino Resort and Brenden Theatres from June 6-16.

In the third installment of the franchise, Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and the gang look to pull off their most ambitious and riskiest heist after ruthless casino owner Willy Bank (Al Pacino) double-crosses Ocean’s friend and mentor Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould). Ocean’s plan is elaborate, dangerous and damn near impossible – but there are no limits when it comes to one of their own. Directed by Steven Soderbergh from a screenplay by Brian Koppelman and David Levien, Ocean’s Thirteen (Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures) stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Ellen Barkin and Al Pacino.

“CineVegas has truly hit the jackpot with Ocean’s Thirteen,” said festival Artistic Director Trevor Groth. “From the original – starring the iconic Vegas legends the “Rat-Pack” – through the first two installments of the new Ocean’s franchise, the films have emanated an unsurpassed coolness fueled by the essence of Las Vegas. CineVegas is honored to open the festival with a film based on our turf that will launch us into the stratosphere of global recognition.”

“Jerry has always been a producer of movies for the people and his body of work – from Ocean’s to such films as Diner, Cruising and Nashville – also proves that he cares deeply about taking chances and breaking cinematic new ground,” remarked festival President Robin Greenspun. “Besides being a major force in the film industry, Jerry is one of the most philanthropic individuals I know. It is our pleasure and honor to help him in his humanitarian efforts with Not On Our Watch.”

For complete program details and to purchase passes to CineVegas 2007, please call 1-888-8VEGAS8. To purchase tickets and sponsorship packages to the Opening Night festivities benefiting the Not On Our Watch please call (702) 952-5530.

About Jerry Weintraub
Jerry Weintraub is one of the most influential and successful people in the entertainment industry. Now heading up Jerry Weintraub Productions, he recently produced Ocean’s Thirteen, opening June 8, 2007. He previously produced the hit Ocean’s Eleven and its sequel, Ocean’s Twelve, as well as the upcoming family film Nancy Drew. Weintraub made his film producing debut with Robert Altman’s Nashville, going on to produce such films as Carl Reiner’s Oh, God!, Barry Levinson’s directorial debut Diner and the inspiring drama The Karate Kid, which spawned three sequels.

Weintraub is also known for his philanthropic efforts on behalf of a wide variety of worthwhile causes. He most recently joined forces with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Don Cheadle in Not On Our Watch, a humanitarian campaign that will advocate for, and provide assistance to, victims of mass atrocities including the Darfur conflict. He has been the recipient of myriad professional honors, most recently being named “Producer of the Year” at ShoWest. This June, he will become the first producer ever to be “cemented” in the courtyard of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood when he joins Clooney, Pitt and Damon in a ceremony celebrating the opening of Ocean’s Thirteen.

About Not On Our Watch’s Darfur Initiative
Founded by George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and Jerry Weintraub, the aim of Not On Our Watch’s Darfur initiative is to support existing humanitarian relief efforts and to ensure the protection of civilians in that region by: advocating for action and mobilizing lifesaving resources to provide medical care, shelter families, build community, help children cope with conflict, empower women, and promote human rights.

About the International Rescue Committee
Among first to respond and the last to leave, the International Rescue Committee has been a global leader in humanitarian relief for refugees and victims of conflict for 75 years. During crises, IRC teams provide health care, shelter, clean water, sanitation, learning and healing programs for children, and special aid for women. As conflicts subside, the IRC stays to revive livelihoods and help shattered communities rebuild. The organization also provides a fresh start for refugees arriving in the United States. A tireless advocate for the world’s most vulnerable people, the IRC is committed to restoring hope, dignity, and opportunity. For more information, visit www.theIRC.org.

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