As TCM prepares for its sixth annual Classic Film Festival in Tinseltown later this month, the network has significantly bolstered its sponsorship roster for the event.
DirecTV and The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures have joined key returnees Delta Air Lines, Citi and Bonhams as official partners of the TCM Classic Film Festival, scheduled from March 26 through March 29 and themed “History According to Hollywood.”
Attendees – there are three different packages, Spotlight, Essentials and Classic -- can watch an extensive lineup of great movies, appearances by legendary stars and filmmakers, presentations and panel discussions and special events.
As an official partner, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will support the opening night 50th anniversary gala presentation of The Sound of Music (1965) and attendant party. In addition, the Academy's Margaret Herrick Library will supply rare archival photography to Club TCM as well as a presentation of Hollywood Home Movies: Treasures from the Academy Film Archive. Randy Haberkamp, managing director, Preservation and Foundation Programs for the Academy, will also present Return of the Dream Machine (1902-1913), which will feature hand-cranked projection of 35mm prints from cinema’s earliest years, including a color tinted version of George Méliès’ A Trip to the Moon (1902), the Edison Co.'s The Great Train Robbery (1903), D.W. Griffith’s A Corner in Wheat (1909),and Lois Weber’s split-screen thriller Suspense (1913), with live musical accompaniment by Michael Mortilla.
For its part, the DBS leader will sponsor the “DirecTV Lounge” in the lobby of the TCL Chinese Multiplex 6. There, festival attendees will be able to unwind, charge their devices and update their social media statuses. They can also learn about DirecTV’s services and offerings.
"Our long-standing partners - Delta, Citi and Bonhams – have been instrumental in contributing to the success of the festival and I’m thrilled to have them back on board along with new partners the Academy Museum and DirecTV,” said Genevieve McGillicuddy, vice president of brand activation and partnerships at TCM. “We’re extremely thankful for the invaluable contributions that all our partners bring each year and look forward their involvement in this year’s festival.”
TCM has also reached an agreement with Sephora to serve as the official sponsor of the screening of Roman Holiday at the El Capitan Theater, while Monster Electronics is the official partner for all live orchestra events at the festival. That includes the world premiere restorations of Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928) and The Grim Game (1919) along with offering an onsite sweepstakes for festival attendees.
The service also raised a glass with Bogart’s Gin and ABK Beer - the official spirits partner of the festival.
Deal terms were not disclosed.
TCM, in recognition of Delta’s status as an original festival partner and their increasing annual support each year of the event, has named the airline an exclusive Founding Partner of the TCM Classic Film Festival. As the official airline partner of the TCM Classic Film Festival, Delta provides air travel for many of the festival's VIP guests. This year, it will also be the exclusive sponsor for the “Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival” event with Sophia Loren on Saturday, March 28 at the Ricardo Montalban Theater in Hollywood.
“We have been very pleased to build long-term relationships with a number of great partners,” said McGillicuddy. “Our partnership with Delta not only provides travel for many of our special guests, but also the opportunity to present several key programs with high-profile talent.”
Returning for its third year as a lead partner, Citi is the official card of the 2015 TCM Classic Film Festival. In addition to an exclusive festival pass pre-sale for Citi cardmembers, attendees who use their Citi card to purchase festival passes will receive an exclusive gift when they arrive at the event. Citi will also host an exclusive preview event on the eve of the festival for its cardmembers and serve as the presenting sponsor of poolside screenings at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
“We also work closely with Citi to create not only special perks for festival pass holders who purchase their pass with a Citi card, but to develop events that will also support their Private Pass program,” said McGillicuddy.
International auctioneer Bonhams is now in its fourth year with the festival and will provide items to be exhibited in Club TCM, the central gathering point for festival attendees. Bonhams will also host a valuation session for festival attendees in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Additionally, it will sponsor such notable films as Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Limelight (1952), A Man for All Seasons (1966) and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
McGillicuddy said following their first year of sponsorship in 2013 TCM launched a co-branded auction with Bonhams. “In what is becoming a tradition at the festival, Bonhams auction house offers the opportunity for festival-goers to learn more about their personal collectibles at our annual valuation event held at the festival. Each year, we find rare items, often tying back into our programming.”
She pointed to a screening of Le Mans, where a collector brought in a racing jacket Steve McQueen wore in the film. Last year, another collector brought in Hattie McDaniel's original contract for Gone With The Wind, which screened at the festival later that day.
TCM host and film historian Robert Osborne will once again serve as official host of the TCM Classic Film Festival, with the network’s Ben Mankiewicz also introducing various events. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which has a longstanding role in movie history and was the site of the first Academy Awards ceremony, is the official gathering place for the festival, and is offering special rates for festival attendees. Screenings and events during the festival also will be held at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX, the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres and the Egyptian Theatre, as well as other Hollywood venues.
With the Old West, Medieval England and Ancient Rome serving as touchpoints, the 2015 festival will center on "History According to Hollywood," and how -- rightly or wrongly – Tinseltown has shaped how we view and remember the past.
